American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

## Overview

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The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. (ABPN) sets the standards for training and certifying psychiatrists and neurologists in the United States, with the self-stated aim of promoting excellence in practice through its certification process.[1] The ABPN is one of 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).[2][3]

Psychiatrists and neurologists who have passed the requisite training may take examinations to become board-certified by ABPN. As of 1994, physicians attaining ABPN Board certification are issued ten-year, time-limited certificates.[4]

## History

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The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1934 by a committee of individuals drawn from the American Psychiatric Association, the American Neurological Association, and the American Medical Association.[2] A notable founder was Walter Freeman, known as an enthusiastic advocate and practitioner of the lobotomy,[5] who was also president from 1946 to 1948.

## Organization

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The 2007 President of the ABPN Board of Directors is Michael V. Johnston, MD of Baltimore, Maryland. The Board of Directors is independently incorporated and has sixteen voting members; nominees are proposed by the American College of Psychiatrists, American Psychiatric Association, American Medical Association, American Neurological Association and the American Academy of Neurology, and selected by the Board.[6]

ABPN reports that it certifies around 1000 psychiatrists and 500 neurologists per year.[7]

## Examination Process

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The ABPN examination includes a Part 1 computer-administered written test and a Part II oral examination involving an actual patient interview as well as clinical vignettes (video clips of former patients), followed by focused questioning from examiners and evaluation by numerical score.[8]

## Related Chapters

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* Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
* Royal College of Psychiatrists

## References

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1. ↑ The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. About ABPN - Mission Statement. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. About ABPN - Our History. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
3. ↑ American Board of Medical Specialties. About ABMS Member Boards. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
4. ↑ The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. ABPN General FAQs. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
5. ↑ Lerner BH. Last-ditch medical therapy - revisiting lobotomy. N Engl J Med. 2005 Jul 14;353(2):119-21. PMID 16014881
6. ↑ The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. About ABPN - Board of Directors. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
7. ↑ The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. Certification Statistics. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
8. ↑ The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. Publications - Examination Schedules. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.

## Further Reading

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* Freeman w, Ebaugh FG, Boyd DA Jr. "The founding of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc." Am J Psychiatry. 1959 Mar;115(9):769-78. PMID 13627254

## External Links

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* ABPN website
* ABPN - Core competencies required

Template:American Boards of Medical Specialties Template:Psychiatry