What does FACP/FACS/FACOG/etc. mean?
Before discussing this, it may be useful to delineate the differences between organizations that physicians may be associated with. Some definitions: Association or Academy – A group for physicians in a particular field, that often sponsors meetings and publishes journals. Example: American Academy of Family Physicians. Board – Organization that conducts periodic examinations for physicians in a particular field, and offers “certification” (cf 7.8). The overseeing organization for all specialty boards is the American Board of Medical Specialties http://www.abms.org. Example: American Board of Internal Medicine. College – Similar to an association, but membership is often tied to board certification and experience. More of an honor than simple association membership, doctors are often elected to “fellowship” after recommendation by their colleagues. Example: American College of Surgeons. After a physician has received board certification in his/her field, and has gained a set amount of
