Should I See a Board Certified Allergist?

To be honest, most people don’t realize that board-certified allergists exist. It’s like they’re not real, like Bigfoot or Loch Ness Monster.

Or, loads of other people assume that all allergists/immunologists are board-certified. The truth is that only a fraction of allergists are board certified.

Well, the great news is that board certified allergists/immunologists are real. And they’re spectacular (Seinfeld reference, anyone?).

So, why should it matter if your allergist is board certified? Well, here’s the low-down.

Imagine You’re a Car.

Maybe you’re a BMW, or the “ultimate driving machine.” Or maybe you’re a Prius, the hybrid car who “takes everyone by surprise.” Or even a Honda or Toyota, known for being incredibly reliable. No matter what kind of “car” you are, there’s a 100% chance you’re going to need a “repair” at some point.

Let’s even drop the metaphor. If your car had something wrong with it, where would you take it? Would you expect your local oil change shop to diagnose why your car is rattling? There’s a good chance you’d opt to take your car to an expert mechanic, one who has gone the extra mile to learn how to both diagnose and fix the problem.

After all, you’re probably hoping that your car is going to last for the long haul. Eventually, you’ll probably buy another car. But, when it comes to your body, it truly is the only one you’ll ever have. So, it makes sense to seek out only the best experts to keep it healthy, right?

So, What Does It Take to Become a Board Certified Allergist/Immunologist?

While all medical doctors go through rigorous training, those who go the extra mile to get a board certification have an even longer journey.

• Like all medical doctors, the journey starts with four years of medical school after completing a bachelor’s degree.
• Then, it’s 3-4 years in residency in internal medicine, pediatrics, or a combination of the two.
• This is where a board-certified allergist’s path really takes a twist. After finishing residency, there are an additional 2-3 years of formal training in an academic fellowship program accredited by the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education). This is the organization that provides the accreditation for all specialties and sub-specialties. In this case, the specialty is in diagnosing and managing allergic disease, asthma, and immunodeficiencies.
• After all of that rigorous training, the allergist may then apply to receive board certification from the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. In the field of allergy and immunology, this is the A+ gold standard. The ABAI is considered the benchmark of expertise and professionalism in allergy and immunology.

 

Why Should I See a Board Certified Allergist/Immunologist?

Remember that car analogy? Here are just a few reasons why board certified allergists can keep your motor running smoothly:

• A 2010 study shows that docs with specialty board certifications had better patient outcomes (lower mortality rate, shorter hospital stays).
• In the United States, specialty certification is completely voluntary. That means that board-certified allergist/immunologists dedicate extra years to ensure that their patients can get the specialized care they need at one location – instead of visiting multiple health care professionals who may only see one piece of the puzzle.
• Board-certified allergist/immunologists are trained to treat patients who have allergies, asthma, and/or immunological disorders. It’s not uncommon for patients to have two – or even all three – of those diseases at once without even realizing it. A board-certified specialist can create a custom wellness plan that addresses all of the patient’s needs.
• Beyond the extra education a board-certified allergist/immunologist receives before receiving certification, specialists must continue their education with “maintenance of board certification.” So, board-certified specialists stay current on all new trends, cutting-edge research, and the latest treatments. So, you can rest easy knowing that your board-certified doctor is equipped with the most up-to-date information for the highest quality care. Plus, as board-certified allergists, Dr. Seyerle and Dr. Mathur regularly take exams on the latest clinical advances, patient safety, communication, and medical ethics.

 

So, in summary, make sure your car, er, your body gets expert care. Seek out board certified professionals who can diagnose and treat any and all of your allergy/immunology concerns. It just makes sense in the long run.

What are your biggest allergy and immunology concerns?  To see one of our board certified allergists, make an appointment at one of our five locations.

 

About Our Board Certified Allergists

Dr. John Seyerle and Dr. Ashish Mathur with Allergy & Asthma Care are both board certified allergists in Greater Cincinnati who help patients with allergies, asthma, and immunological diseases. Both are members of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), and have undergone extensive training and research to become a part of the community of board certified doctors in their specialty. Dr. Mathur is also board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.