Welcome to the homepage of the American Osteopathic Conjoint Committee of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. We are responsible for the evaluation and recommendation of the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine is the area of preventive and occupational medicine that focuses on the prevention, assessment, and management of diving and altitude pressure related injuries as well as utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy either primarily or adjunctively to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses.  There are currently thirteen approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.  These include: air or gas embolism; carbon monoxide poisoning; decompression sickness; gas gangrene; crush injury, compartment syndrome; selected problem wounds; exceptional anemia; intracranial abscess; necrotizing soft tissue infections; refractory osteomyelitis; delayed radiation injury; skin grafts and flaps and thermal burns. Many other indications are currently under investigation for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

In order to be eligible to take the certification exam a candidate will have to meet the following criteria:

  • Have graduated from an AOA accredited college of osteopathic medicine
  • Have satisfactorily completed a one-year AOA approved internship
  • Have satisfactorily completed a one-year AOA or ACGME approved hyperbaric medicine fellowship (the AOA can not grant your certification until your UHM fellowship is approved) or completed a clinical pathway consisting of:

    1. Notarized documentation of successful completion of a basic course in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine approved by either the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.  US Department of Defense courses will be reviewed on an individual basis.  The length of the course must have been at least 40 hours followed by formal assessment. All coursework must be in person, NOT online.
    2. Documentation of a two-year period of time in which a minimum of 25% of practice time was in the practice of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.  Documentation of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine research and teaching activities may also be submitted for review.  During this two-year period, the practice must be devoted to one or more of the 13 treatment indications of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.
    3. Documentation of supervision of at least 500 treatments (with a distribution across the 13 treatment indications in proportion to the frequency with which they are encountered at the institution).

    (The clinical pathway option for certification will expire on December 31, 2013, after which only the residency/fellowship option will be allowed).
  • Be (and remain) a member, in good standing, of the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association
  • Hold primary board certification from a participating certifying board of the Bureau of Osteopathic specialists (BOS)
  • Hold a wholly unrestricted valid state license to practice osteopathic medicine

CAQ in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Exam Application 2012

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Table of Specification

The AOCUHM does not endorse any board review course for use in preparing to take the certification examination in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. Many organizations provide intensive board review courses which can be taken in preparation for the boards. The AOCUHM table of specifications is posted herein and can be used to determine if the content of a board review is sufficient to cover the listed topics.

Item Writing Guide

AOCUHM Appeals Form

BOS Handbook

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Flyer 2012

2012 Examination Schedule
Exam Date
Exam Location
Exam(s) Offered
Application Deadline

Saturday,
March 17, 2012

St. Petersburg, Florida
Vinoy Hotel in conjunction with the AOCOPM Mid-Year Conference

Certificate of Added Qualifications

First Application Deadline: Thursday, January 5, 2012

Final Application Deadline:
Monday, February 6, 2012 ($100.00 late fee)

Saturday, October 6, 2012
San Diego, California
in conjunction with the AOA Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition
Certificate of Added Qualifications

First Application Deadline: Monday, July 16, 2012

Final Application Deadline: Thursday, August 16, 2012 ($100.00 late fee)

PLEASE NOTE: ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE

Do you need AOA approval of your Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine fellowship? Click here to complete the form for approval of your UHM fellowship.

Do you need information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Special Testing Accommodations? Please click here.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
Would you like to know more about osteopathic medicine? Click here to access helpful information from the AOA's website.

Would you like to find a DO who practices Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine in your area? Click here to access the AOA's "Find a DO" online search function.


INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Do you need to verify an osteopathic physician's credentials? To obtain a physician profile, contact the AOA Information Association at 800-621-1773, extension 8145, or via email.  The profile is the official form for verification of certification awarded by the American Osteopathic Association.

©2010, American Osteopathic Conjoint Committee of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
142 East Ontario Street, Flr 4
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone 800-621-1773, Ext 8229 - Fax 312-202-8495
www.aocuhm.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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