American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT)

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of activities:

Scientific Meetings

ACMT is a co-sponsor of the annual North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology, an interdisciplinary meeting of more than 500 physicians, poison information specialists, pharmacists, and nurses engaged in toxicology practice, teaching, and/or research. The Congress, held annually since 1968, features peer-reviewed presentations and posters on current research, clinical developments, public policy, and practice management. College sponsored symposia feature state of the art updates on developments in medical toxicology, and review courses for board certification candidates. CME credit is available.

Communication and Networking

ACMT sponsors ACMTnet, a moderated internet mail list (list serve) that enables members to rapidly exchange information, advice and comments on clinical developments, unusual or difficult cases, public policy, and job and training opportunities. ACMT publishes the Internet Journal of Medical Toxicology (IJMT), an on-line, interactive electronic journal featuring challenging clinical cases; editorial comment and reviews; and toxicology news and announcements. The ACMT website provides members with cumulative access to postings and articles from ACMTnet and IJMT, as well as links to key toxicology resources on the internet. An annually updated membership directory with geographic and alphabetical listings provides members with a resource for further contact and referral.

Public Policy

As an association of physicians with expertise in medical toxicology, ACMT encourages public policy that advances poisoning treatment and prevention, drug safety, and occupational and environmental health. On a variety of current issues, ACMT designates members to serve as representatives to public or private advisory committees. ACMT may also promulgate policy papers or position statements approved by its Board of Directors.

Medical Toxicology Practice

ACMT is dedicated to improving the quality of care rendered to patients with toxicology-related medical problems, and to expanding patient access to board-certified medical toxicologists. Through contacts with government agencies and professional organizations, ACMT plans to have an increasing role in defining the scope of medical toxicology practice in the managed care environment and the public health arena. ACMT is working with insurers, hospitals, and other health professionals to enhance recognition of the medical toxicologist's unique skills, expertise, and clinical contributions.

Fellowship Training in Medical Toxicology

Many ACMT members are active as faculty and preceptors in the more than 2 dozen Medical Toxicology training programs that prepare physicians for board certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Through the actions of its membership, committees, and ABMS liaison, ACMT is committed to advancing high standards for fellowship training curriculum and board certification.

Membership and Structure

Full membership in ACMT is offered to physicians certified by the American Board of Medical Toxicology (available prior to 1992), and/or by the Sub-Board in Medical Toxicology of the American Board of Medical Specialties. International membership is available to licensed physicians outside the United States who practice medical toxicology as a substantial portion of professional activities. Associate membership is available to enrollees in clinical training programs or recent graduates of medical toxicology training programs. Fellowship status is available to full-members who meet advanced criteria.

ACMT members elect a Board of Directors (9 members), including executive officers. All members are eligible to serve on ACMT committees.

ACMT members receive the Internet Journal of Medical Toxicology, internet access to the ACMTnet list serve, and may choose to receive the peer-reviewed toxicology journal [Clinical Toxicology] at a discounted rate.

Medical Toxicology

Medical Toxicology is a medical subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, management and prevention of poisoning and other adverse health effects due to medications, occupational and environmental toxins, and biological agents. Medical Toxicology is officially recognized as a medical subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Examples of medical problems evaluated by Medical Toxicologists include:

Unintentional and Intentional Drug Overdose: including therapeutic drugs (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, calcium antagonists); drugs of abuse (e.g. cocaine, amphetamines, opioids); over-the-counter medicines (e.g. aspirin, acetaminophen); and vitamins (e.g. iron supplements; vitamin A).
Hazardous Exposure to Chemical Products: such as pesticides; heavy metals (e.g. lead, arsenic, mercury); household products (e.g. cleaning agents); toxic gases (e.g. carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide); toxic alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethylene glycol); and other industrial and environmental agents.
Drug abuse management, including in-patient care for acute withdrawal from addictive drugs, and outpatient Medical Review Officer services for industry and organization.
Envenomations, such as snake bites, spider bites, scorpion stings.
Ingestion of Food-Borne Toxins: such as botulism; marine toxins (e.g. paralytic shellfish toxin; ciguatoxin).
Ingestion of Toxic Plants and Mushrooms.
Independent Medical Examinations, assessing injury or disability resulting from toxic exposures.

Physicians specializing in Medical Toxicology provide professional services in a variety of clinical, industrial, educational, and public health settings:

Emergency departments, intensive care units, and other in-patient units providing direct treatment and bedside consultation of acutely poisoned adults and children.
Outpatient clinics, offices, and job sites evaluating health impacts from acute and chronic exposure to toxic substances in the workplace, home and general environment.
Poison Control Centers, providing 24 hour phone consultation to health professionals, first responders, public health officials, corporate safety personnel, and the general public regarding hazard identification, decontamination, emergency management, and detailed clinical care.
Medical Schools, Universities, and Clinical Training Sites, performing teaching, research, and patient care.
Industry and Commerce, contributing to pharmaceutical research and development, product safety, occupational health services, and regulatory compliance.
Governmental agencies, providing toxicology expertise to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and state and local health departments; as well as non-governmental advocacy organizations, consumer groups and industrial associations.
Clinical and forensic laboratories, designing, conducting and interpreting diagnostic tests and forensic analyses.