Scientific Policy Summary: AMA to Explore Path Toward Independent Cardiovascular Board
Scientific Policy Summary: AMA to Explore Path Toward Independent Cardiovascular Board
Source: As reported on June 19, 2025, in a leading cardiovascular policy journal.
🔗 CVboard organization
Key Points:
1. Context:
• The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has long advocated for the creation of an independent American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCVM) to separate cardiology certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
• A prior proposal was rejected by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in 2024.
2. AMA Involvement:
• At the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) 2025 meeting in Chicago, an ACC-sponsored resolution was adopted.
• The AMA has agreed to study and define principles for certifying boards, covering training standards, assessment of competency, and board governance.
• A full report is expected at the 2026 AMA HOD meeting.
3. Renewed Support from Imaging Societies:
• Unlike the initial proposal, this latest resolution gained support from key cardiac imaging societies:
• American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)
• American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC)
• Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT)
• Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR)
4. Rationale for a Separate Board:
• Cardiology has evolved into a distinct field with unique competencies and procedural skills that no longer align with general internal medicine.
• Cardiologists argue that ABIM’s internal medicine-focused testing and standards are outdated and unrepresentative of modern cardiovascular practice.
• The proposed board would allow specialized, relevant certification pathways for cardiologists.
5. Obstacles and Debate:
• The ABMS previously rejected the application citing insufficient community support—something the ACC is now addressing.
• During AMA discussions, there was debate over AMA’s role: some physicians argued for non-intervention, while others supported increased oversight and modernized board structures.
• Historical context: AMA helped establish the ABMS in 1933 to regulate a growing number of specialty boards and reduce conflicts.
6. Next Steps:
• The AMA’s upcoming 2026 report could influence the future framework of certification boards and help legitimize the establishment of the ABCVM.
• Ongoing discussions focus on professional autonomy, physician self-governance, and the need to modernize the board certification landscape.
We Bottom Line:
After an initial denial, efforts to establish an independent board for cardiovascular medicine have gained momentum. The AMA will now explore standards and structures for certifying bodies, a move that may eventually support cardiology’s separation from internal medicine. The involvement of cardiac imaging societies and the broader cardiology community marks a significant step forward.
