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Letter from the American Board of Urology  Pediatric Subspecialty Certification Updates
Educational Requirements
We want to update you about some recent significant developments at the February meeting of the American Board of Urology.
First, there have been several incidents around the country which have come to the attention of the Board of Urology that threaten to undermine the Certificate of Qualification process in Pediatric Urology. These situations have included statements or actions by individuals in our subspecialty which have represented the belief that subspecialty certification will mean that only pediatric urologists will be providing pediatric urology care in the future. Even though these occurrences have involved only a handful of individuals, it has created a great deal of concern amongst the Board members that this attitude might be more prevalent among members of our subspecialty.
It is critical that we all understand that subspecialty certification was never intended to restrict the general urologist from being able to treat children with urological disorders. Likewise, subspecialty certification is not intended to change or diminish the training requirements of urology residents.
As specifically stated in the American Board of Medical Specialties Reference Handbook:
"There is no requirement or necessity for a diplomat in a recognized specialty (Urology) to hold a special certification in a subspecialty of that field (Pediatric Urology) in order to be considered qualified to include aspects of that subspecialty within a specialty practice. Under no circumstances should a diplomat be considered unqualified to practice within an area of subspecialty solely because of lack of subspecialty certification. Specialty certification in a subspecialty field is of significance for physicians preparing for careers in teaching, research, or practice restricted to that field. Such special certification is recognition of exceptional expertise and experience and has not been created to justify a differential fee schedule or to confer other professional advantages over other diplomats not so certified."
The second development at the February Board meeting was the modification and approval of Educational Requirements for subspecialty certification in Pediatric Urology. These include some significant changes from the original requirements proposed to the Board by the Pediatric Urology Advisory Council. In August 2007, the ABU amended the eligibility requirements to require a 2-year fellowship, including 1 year approved by the ACGME, for all fellows who completed training after July 1, 1998. The Pediatric Urology Advisory Council and the Pediatric Urology Fellowship Program Directors made a recommendation to the Board for an amendment stating:
Fellows completing a fellowship between 1998 and 2008 must have completed a 1 year residency (fellowship) accredited by the ACGME or approved by the Canadian Royal College of Surgeons. After 2008, all applicants must have completed a 2 year residency (fellowship) including 1 year accredited by the ACGME or approved by the Canadian Royal College of Surgeons.
The Board approved the requirements as below; however, the Pediatric Urology Advisory Council hopes to have further discussions with the Board on this issue at the AUA in May.
Educational Requirements
The criteria for variances at this time are not fully determined. The Pediatric Urology Advisory Council will seek further clarification of this when we meet with the ABU at the AUA in May.
Yours sincerely,
H. Gil Rushton, M.D., FAAP
Executive Secretary, Pediatric Urology Advisory Council
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