American College of Physicians
Encyclopedia
The American College of Physicians (ACP) is a national organization of doctors of internal medicine
(internists)—physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illnesses in adults. With 130,000 members, ACP is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP provides information and advocacy for its members as they practice internal medicine and related subspecialties.
ACP is represented in the American Medical Association, the Federated Council for Internal Medicine, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies, and other organizations.
s who are Fellow Members of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
With the exception of physician assistants, membership in ACP is restricted to physicians and medical students interested in internal medicine. Board certification in internal medicine is not required. However, potential members must be "board eligible."
Internists complete a three-year internal medicine training program after medical school, focusing on how to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases primarily affecting adults. Those wishing to become subspecialty internists can then complete one to three years of additional training in such fields as cardiology
, nephrology
, hematology
/oncology
, endocrinology
, gastroenterology
, pulmonology
, geriatric medicine, infectious diseases, and hepatology
.
, published by ACP twice-monthly, is one of the most-cited medical journals in the world. ACP Journal Club summarizes important clinical articles for internists from more than 100 medical journals. ACP Internist is the organization's monthly newsmagazine for internists.
issues that affect public health
and the practice of medicine. Activities include development of policy statements and communication with legislative and administrative sectors of government.
The ACP Center for Ethics & Professionalism is devoted to policy development and implementation on issues related to medical ethics and professionalism, and is a resource for ACP members and the public.
The ACP Foundation exists to support the mission of the American College of Physicians and to improve the health of the public through the creation and support of programs in education, research, service, and professionalism.
ACP electronic information resources include Physicians' Information and Education Resource (PIER), a Web-based decision-support tool that delivers evidence-based guidance to physicians in more than 400 modules, or clinical areas. Other resources include a line of online and offline self-assessment and study products (MKSAP); and a series of mobile and PDA resources, all available on ACP Online. Clinical Skills Teaching Modules bring proven teaching techniques to classrooms.
The ACP Center for Practice Improvement and Innovation offers members information to assist them as they practice in today's health care environment. The Center offers practical written guides, practice management tools, and personalized advice. The Medical Laboratory Evaluation Program (MLE) offers proficiency testing for laboratories in the United States and abroad.
In 2007, ACP launched its Diabetes Portal, an interactive resource for patients and clinicians.
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
(internists)—physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illnesses in adults. With 130,000 members, ACP is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP provides information and advocacy for its members as they practice internal medicine and related subspecialties.
History and mission
ACP's mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine. It was founded in 1915 to promote the science and practice of medicine. In 1998, ACP merged with the American Society of Internal Medicine (ASIM), which was established in 1956 to study economic aspects of medicine. Known as ACP-ASIM from 1998 to 2003, the organization then re-adopted American College of Physicians as its corporate name.Structure
ACP is governed by a Board of Regents elected by ACP members. The Board is advised by a network of ACP committees and by the ACP Board of Governors, which is composed of 79 elected Governors in chapters and regions of the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. ACP sponsors the Council of Subspecialty Societies, which is composed of representatives of internal medicine subspecialty societies and related organizations.ACP is represented in the American Medical Association, the Federated Council for Internal Medicine, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies, and other organizations.
Membership
Levels of membership in ACP are Affiliate, Medical Student, Associate, Member, Fellow (FACP), and Master (MACP). Fellowship and Mastership in ACP are the organization's way of noting outstanding achievement in internal medicine. Fellows are recommended by their peers, endorsed by their local chapter leadership, and reviewed by a national credentials subcommittee. Masters are nominated from among the Fellows of ACP for annual election to this highly selective group. ACP Affiliate membership is available to physician assistantPhysician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
s who are Fellow Members of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
With the exception of physician assistants, membership in ACP is restricted to physicians and medical students interested in internal medicine. Board certification in internal medicine is not required. However, potential members must be "board eligible."
Internists complete a three-year internal medicine training program after medical school, focusing on how to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases primarily affecting adults. Those wishing to become subspecialty internists can then complete one to three years of additional training in such fields as cardiology
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
, nephrology
Nephrology
Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.-Scope of the specialty:...
, hematology
Hematology
Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases...
/oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
, endocrinology
Endocrinology
Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, the integration of developmental events such as proliferation, growth, and differentiation and the coordination of...
, gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine whereby the digestive system and its disorders are studied. The name is a combination of three Ancient Greek words gaster , enteron , and logos...
, pulmonology
Pulmonology
In medicine, pulmonology is the specialty that deals with diseases of the respiratory tract and respiratory disease. It is called chest medicine and respiratory medicine in some countries and areas...
, geriatric medicine, infectious diseases, and hepatology
Hepatology
Hepatology is the branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas as well as management of their disorders. Etymologically the word Hepatology is formed of ancient Greek hepar or hepato- meaning ' liver' and suffix -logia meaning 'word' or 'speech'...
.
Publications
Annals of Internal MedicineAnnals of Internal Medicine
Annals of Internal Medicine is an academic medical journal published by the American College of Physicians . It publishes research articles and reviews in the area of internal medicine. Its current editor is Christine Laine...
, published by ACP twice-monthly, is one of the most-cited medical journals in the world. ACP Journal Club summarizes important clinical articles for internists from more than 100 medical journals. ACP Internist is the organization's monthly newsmagazine for internists.
Activities
ACP’s Washington, D.C., office monitors and responds to public policyPublic policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
issues that affect public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and the practice of medicine. Activities include development of policy statements and communication with legislative and administrative sectors of government.
The ACP Center for Ethics & Professionalism is devoted to policy development and implementation on issues related to medical ethics and professionalism, and is a resource for ACP members and the public.
The ACP Foundation exists to support the mission of the American College of Physicians and to improve the health of the public through the creation and support of programs in education, research, service, and professionalism.
Education and information resources
ACP’s continuing medical education programs for internists include Internal Medicine, an annual national scientific meeting featuring more than 260 presentations; the Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP), now in its 15th edition; postgraduate board review courses; recertification courses; and chapter/regional meetings. For future internists, ACP provides education and career information, produces MKSAP for Students, and administers an In-Training Examination for residents.ACP electronic information resources include Physicians' Information and Education Resource (PIER), a Web-based decision-support tool that delivers evidence-based guidance to physicians in more than 400 modules, or clinical areas. Other resources include a line of online and offline self-assessment and study products (MKSAP); and a series of mobile and PDA resources, all available on ACP Online. Clinical Skills Teaching Modules bring proven teaching techniques to classrooms.
The ACP Center for Practice Improvement and Innovation offers members information to assist them as they practice in today's health care environment. The Center offers practical written guides, practice management tools, and personalized advice. The Medical Laboratory Evaluation Program (MLE) offers proficiency testing for laboratories in the United States and abroad.
In 2007, ACP launched its Diabetes Portal, an interactive resource for patients and clinicians.
External links
- Official website
- American College of Physicians - the most current fact sheet
- Membership Classes - the seven classes of ACP membership
- Doctors for Adults.com - The American College of Physicians' patient education website, with more info about internal medicine and internists
- Annals of Internal Medicine - the journal of the ACP
- MKSAP Online - the online version of the ACP's flagship self-assessment program