Report calls for innovation in medical education

With expansion going on at almost all U.S. medical schools--adding about 5,000 new physicians to the profession by 2020--it's a great time for medical educators to think out of the box, according to a new report by a philanthropic organization focused on healthcare training and education.

The report, which was published by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, contends that medical educators have a rare opportunity now to experiment with new approaches. For example, medical schools can begin incorporating the realities of the medical business into their curriculum, including racial disparities, the growth of chronic illness, the unsustainable cost of healthcare and demands for provider accountability.

To accommodate such changes, the report recommends reorganizing the med school curriculum, making it possible for graduation requirements to be met in three years rather than four to minimize debt and thereby give students more professional choices. It also calls on schools to share information about innovative programs.

To learn more about the report:
- read this Modern Healthcare item (reg. req.)

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