Performance on the American Board of Physical 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.