Performance on the American Board of Physic459934927al Medicine and Rehabilitation certifying examinations: Rural and urban physicians

Background Over 60 million people in the United States live in a rural community making up approximately 20% of the population. Data are minimal about the physiatrists who serve this rural population, their performance on certification examinations and how the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPM&R) serves their ongoing educational, assessment, and practice needs. Objective To compare the performance of rural and urban physicians on the Part I, Part II, and maintenance of certification (MOC) examinations along with subspecialty preference and continuance of primary certification. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting Board-eligible PM&R physicians and certified diplomates of the ABPM&R. Participants Physicians who participated in an initial certification or maintenance of certification examination with the ABPM&R between 2010 and 2019. Methods Comparisons of physician pass rates, mean scaled scores (aggregates), and program pass rates on ABPM&R certifying examinations were completed. Cross-reference to national database and ABPM&R practice site zip codes provided sociogeographic linkage. Interventions Not applicable Main Outcome Measures Physician mean scaled scores, pass rates, subspecialty preferences, and primary certification status. Results There were no meaningful differences in performance on the ABPM&R Part I, II, and MOC examinations between rural and urban physiatrists. Most common subspecialty is the pain medicine certification whose diplomates most frequently drop their primary certification. Pediatric rehabilitation medicine certification is rare in rural localities and a health care disparity. Conclusion The study found no meaningful differences in the performance of rural and urban physicians on the ABPM&R certifying examinations.