Related Policies
The policies listed below relate to ABTS certification in thoracic surgery.  Candidates for certification should also refer to the Board's Booklet of Information for additional information regarding the rules and procedures for certification.  
Professionalism and Code of Conduct Policy PDF Icon

 

ABTS certification requires that the diplomate must respect and adhere to a professionalism code that reflects the ABTS mission to serve the public. Read the policy here.   

 
Leave of Absence Policy 

 

The new policy will affect thoracic surgery residents in 2-year, 3-year, 6 year and 4/3 training programs, in addition to congenital cardiac surgery residents in 1-year and 2-year training programs. To read more about the new Leave of Absence Policy, please click here.

Condensed I6 Pathway


In NO cases will more than 1 year of credit be given and the only year that can be skipped is the PGY 1 year (NOT years 3, 4 or 5). The case requirements for the I6 program must still be met-including the yearly case totals and the cumulative case total (Please reference the ABTS website for case details). The I6 program must communicate such a request prospectively to the ABTS before such abbreviated training can begin and each case will be evaluated by the Executive Director of the ABTS and a decision rendered as to the qualifications of the surgeon to enter a condensed I6 pathway. Approval is not automatic and requires proper documentation. There is NO option for shortening the 4/3, 5/2 or 5/3 programs.

For foreign trained cardiothoracic surgeons:
1.  Completion of cardiothoracic training in their home country with documentation by the program director of satisfactory performance of the resident;
2.  Achievement of Board certification (or equivalent) in their home country with documentation;
3.  Must hold an unrestricted US medical license;
4.  Must have completed at least one year of a non-accredited cardiothoracic fellowship (can be either cardiac or thoracic) in the US with satisfactory performance with documentation;
5.  Must have a letter from the program director from the fellowship program attesting to the character and performance of the surgeon and their readiness to enter a formal ACGME cardiothoracic training program;
6.  Must provide a case list from the US cardiothoracic fellowship; and
7.  The fellowship program must be in good standing.

For residents in a US surgical training program
1.  Must have complied at least 1 year in a US ACGME approved general surgery or vascular surgery training program
2.  Training can be as a categorical or non-categorical resident
3.  Must hold an unrestricted US medical license
4.  Must have performed in a satisfactory manner during residency
5.  Must have a supportive letter from the ACGME approved surgery/vascular surgery program director attesting to the character and performance of the resident
6.  Must provide a case list from the US residency program
7.  The residency program must be in good standing with full accreditation

Single Accreditation Policy 


followed by the successful completion of an ACGME-approved Thoracic Surgery residency.

August 1 Residency Start Date


Additionally, with the change in the Qualifying Exam date, trainees will have the opportunity to study and take the ABS Surgery Qualifying Exam before the start of their fellowship, to move to their new training city in a more leisurely fashion, to fully participate in orientation in their new hospital, and potentially to offset patient safety concerns that have been noted with transitions to new trainees during the month of July. As of 2016, most postgraduate surgery fellowship start dates have been moved to August 1. The American Board of Thoracic Surgery recognizes the potential value of this change by the American Board of Surgery for our residents and encourages thoracic surgery program directors to consider changing their program start dates to August 1. Before committing to this change multiple logistic considerations need to be decided at the local level and must include thoughtful discussion with the institutional Designated Institutional Official (DIO). Consideration needs to be given to the resident's salary gap (from July 1 to August 1), healthcare coverage (typically COBRA coverage will cover a 1 month gap readily), and those residents that have a visa that requires continuous training as a prerequisite.

Denial, Suspension, Revocation, or Expiration of Certification Policy
Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Certification for Cause
In its discretion, the Board of Directors, by a majority of the directors present and voting at a duly called and convened meeting thereof, may deny issuing a certificate or suspend or revoke a Diplomate’s certification for cause. “Cause” is based on the Board’s determination, following investigation and review, that the Candidate for certification or Diplomate:
  1. does not possess the required qualifications and requirements for certification, whether such deficiency was known to the Board or any Committee thereof before examination or at the time of issuance of the certificate, as the case may be; or
  2. failed to submit or withheld information in their application or made a material misstatement or any other misrepresentation to the Board or any Committee thereof, whether intentional or unintentional; or
  3. submitted a guilty plea or a plea of nolo contendere, accepted probation without verdict (PWOV) or accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD), and/or was convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or having a material relationship to the practice of medicine; or
  4. had adverse action taken with respect to their license to practice medicine in any state, province, or country, which action may include, without limitation, license revocation or suspension, the imposition of any requirement of probation, surveillance, supervision, or review, or voluntary surrender in lieu of disciplinary action; or was disciplined by any court or other body having proper jurisdiction and authority, including, without limitation, an institution at which they have been employed or have held medical staff privileges, because of any act or omission arising from the practice of medicine; or
  5. engaged in examination misconduct; the unauthorized acquisition, use, disclosure, publication, reproduction, or transmission of ABTS examination content before, during, or after an examination; or had knowledge of such activity and failed to report it to ABTS, whether or not such activities affected the individual’s performance; or
  6. had a history of chemical dependency or developed such during the certification process and failed to report same to the Board; or
  7. has engaged in any conduct that may pose a danger to patients or that violates the ABTS Professionalism and Code of Conduct Policy; or
  8. refused or otherwise failed to cooperate in an ABTS review of conduct that may form the basis of a denial, suspension, or revocation of certification.

Candidates for certification and Diplomates are under a continuing obligation to provide the Board, or its designees, with any information that may adversely affect the Diplomate’s certification. In making its determination, the Board may use information from any source and, if it deems appropriate, may request assistance from any committee or committees of the Board.

Suspension of Certification for Cause
Upon receipt of information that may form the basis of a revocation decision, the Executive Committee, in its discretion, may suspend a Diplomate’s certification pending the Board’s decision on revocation. Specifically, certification may be suspended if the Board receives information supporting a claim that the Diplomate may pose a risk to patients as supported by a federal or state court opinion or the determination of a public or private authority (e.g., state medical board; hospital medical staff).

Suspension is temporary and should be imposed only under limited circumstances when the risk to patients is objective and clear. At the conclusion of its investigation and review, the Board will either lift the suspension or issue a revocation determination. During the pendency of a suspension, the Diplomate’s certification will be changed to the “Not Certified-Suspended” category. Diplomates in that category must remove evidence of their certification from any and all materials setting forth their credentials.

ABTS will notify the American Board of Medical Specialties of all Diplomates whose certification category has been changed to “Not Certified-Suspended.”

Denial or Revocation of Certification for Cause
Upon denying a Candidate’s request for certification or revoking a Diplomate’s certification for cause, the Board will notify the Candidate or the Diplomate of its determination, including the cause therefor, in accordance with the Appeal Procedures of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (“Appeal Procedures”).

Upon a revocation determination, the Diplomate’s certification will be changed to the “Not Certified-Revoked” category. Diplomates in that category must remove evidence of their certification from any and all materials setting forth their credentials.

The procedures available to a Candidate for certification wishing to challenge a denial of certification or to a Diplomate wishing to challenge a revocation determination are set forth in the Appeal Procedures.

Final Determination of Denial or Revocation of Certification
A revocation determination will become final upon the expiration of [the period for reconsideration or appeal set forth in the Appeals Procedures] when the Candidate for certification or Diplomate elects not to request reconsideration and/or appeal of a Board determination to deny or revoke their certification for cause; (or (ii) if and when a denial or revocation determination is upheld after the Candidate for certification or Diplomate has exhausted their rights of reconsideration and/or appeal pursuant to the Appeals Procedures.

The ABTS will notify the Candidate for certification or Diplomate of its final determination pursuant to [applicable section of the Appeal Procedures].

Once a revocation determination becomes final, the ABTS will change the former Diplomate’s status in its records from “Certified” to “Not Certified-Revoked.” The ABTS also will notify the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) of the Diplomate’s change of certification category. The ABTS also may advise other third parties that the former Diplomate is no longer certified, including, without limitation, another medical specialty board that has issued the former Diplomate a certificate, the National Practitioner Data Bank, and state licensing boards.

Reinstatement of Certification
In the event a former Diplomate provides proof that the circumstances that led to the revocation of their certification have been corrected, the former Diplomate may request that the Board, in its discretion, allow them to complete the steps necessary for reinstatement of certification subject to the Appeals Procedures.

If the Board grants a request by a former Diplomate to pursue reinstatement of certification, the former Diplomate must complete all the steps necessary to regain certification and shall be subject to all the rules in force at the time of reinstatement, including certification and mandatory participation in Continuing Certification.

If the Board denies a request by a former Diplomate to pursue reinstatement of certification, the former Diplomate will be subject to the Appeals Procedures.

Appeals Policy


Individuals who are in the written exam process may only request reconsideration regarding potential fraud, misconduct or irregularities.  There is no appeal for the content of the examination, the sufficiency or accuracy of the answers given, scoring of the examination, nor any other matter.  Any individuals who wish to seek reconsideration on the basis of fraud, misconduct or irregularities may immediately upon conclusion of the written examination, and in any event no later than 7 days following the written examination, request that the Board allow him or her to retake the examination at no additional cost.

Individuals in the oral exam process who believe that any of the examiners have been unfair or biased during portions of the oral examination may immediately upon conclusion of the examination request of the Executive Director of the Board a reexamination by another examiner using different case protocols covering similar subject matter.  If the Executive Director and the Officers determine that there are reasonable grounds, the individual shall be reexamined immediately by a Board member.  In such instances, only the score given by the re-examiner will be considered.

Chemical Dependency Policy


For candidates who are already in the examination process and develop a chemical dependency as reported to the Board, the process will be suspended until the candidate can provide documentation suitable to the Board that the condition has been under control for a period of two years. At that time, the candidate will be readmitted to the examination process. The requirement to be accepted for examination within one year of completion of an approved thoracic surgery residency will not be waived.