Use of practice tracks in the medical specialties

Objectives: To evaluate the use of practice tracks by each of the 24 medical specialty boards and to compare this with the experience in emergency medicine (EM). Methods: Scripted telephone surveys were conducted with representatives of each of the specialty boards. Results: Of 24 specialties currently recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), 14 (58%) reported a history of a practice track. Eight boards reported never having a practice track and 2 were unsure. All practice tracks have been limited in duration, most commonly closing after a specified period. The mean duration of the practice tracks was 9.8 years, the median was 7.5 years, and the range was 3-27 years. The practice track in EM was open for 9 years. Conclusions: Practice tracks were common in the early years of most specialties and most were limited by duration. The history of the practice track in EM is not dissimilar to those of other specialties.