What is a self-designated practice specialty?
The AMA Physician Select search-by-specialty option is based on medical specialty information provided by each physician. Physicians report their primary and secondary practice specialty via AMA surveys, the AMA Online Data Collection Center and other data collection vehicles. Although studies conducted by the U.S. Health and Human Services Bureau of Health professions show that most self-designated practice specialties are consistent with physicians’ graduate medical training and/or board certification, a self-designated specialty does not warranty special skill to practice in that specialty. See Physician Licensure, Certification, and Education for information about graduate medical training and board certification.
