Doctors Board certification, or the international equivalent, is a sign that doctors are highly trained in their fields. Doctors who specialize, such as heart surgeons, should be board certified in the specialty in which they are practicing. Each specialty has a national board that is responsible for setting standards doctors must meet in order to be certified. Doctors who are board certified in their specialties have completed the amount of training that the specialty board requires, have practiced for a specified number of years in that specialty and have passed a difficult examination in their specialty area.
Board certification is generally a good indicator of competence and experience.
Although accreditation is voluntary, most hospitals go through the process. If the hospital that you are considering is not accredited, it is important to know why. Some of the best hospitals are often in the public spotlight for their medical advances and the quality of their care. All Cleveland Clinic pediatric cardiologists who treat pediatric congenital heart diseases are board certified both in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. In addition, they have specialty training and experience specific to the treatment of pediatric and congenital heart diseases.