Final answer:
The Certificate of Added Qualifications was introduced by various specialty boards in the United States in the 1990s to recognize expertise in specific medical areas beyond initial board certification. Details vary by medical board and specialization, with the ABPN offering its first CAQ in 1991.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) was introduced as a way to recognize expanded expertise and specialty knowledge in areas beyond initial certification by a primary specialty. The concept of the CAQ was first established by medical boards within the United States, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), to help ensure that physicians met specific standards of excellence in specialty areas. The terminology and concept may vary by country, and the details regarding when it was introduced can also differ depending on the governing board of a particular medical specialty.
In the case of the United States, specialty boards began offering CAQs in the 1990s. For example, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) offered its first CAQ in 1991. However, it's important to note that the introduction of CAQs can var across different medical boards and their various specialties.
To obtain a CAQ, physicians must often comply with additional training or practice experience requirements and must pass a specialized examination upon completing their initial board certification.