Tampa, FL – The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) has adopted the new integrative medicine certification eligibility requirements for qualified physicians through the American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM®). Eligibility requirements for ABOIM certification are available online at http://www.aboim.org.

ABOIM is expected to begin accepting physician board certification applications in late spring. Successful completion of the integrative medicine board certification process will indicate the Diplomate has proven his/her mastery of the experience and knowledge required to practice integrative medicine and the physician’s commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics. The ABPS is the only multi-specialty physician certifying board in the United States to offer integrative medicine certification.

Integrative medicine was established as a specialty by Andrew Weil, MD, a best-selling author and lecturer. His ideas about whole person treatment and care integrate the best, scientifically validated therapies and practices of conventional medicine, as practiced in emergency rooms, for example, which is known as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The defining principles of integrative medicine include:

• A partnership between the patient and the practitioner
• Consideration of every factor that influences health, wellness and disease – mind, body and spirit
• Use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body’s innate healing response
• Use of less invasive interventions whenever possible
• The concept that good medicine is based on good science and is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms

ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.® (AAPS) with headquarters in Tampa, FL.  ABPS currently certifies qualified physicians MDs and DOs in 17 different specialties. ABPS sets rigorous standards of certification, at all times, furthering patient care.