Medical education in the United States of America

Kent J. DeZeeUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA; KENT J. DEZEE, MD, MPH, is the general medicine fellowship director and associate professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. He received his MD from The Ohio State University and his MPH from his current institution.Correspondence[email protected]

Anthony R. ArtinoUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA; ANTHONY R. ARTINO, JR, PhD, is an associate professor of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics and co-director of the Long-term Career Outcome Study at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

D. Michael ElnickiUniversity of Pittsburgh, USA; D. MICHAEL ELNICKI, MD, is a professor of Medicine and director, Section of General Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He also directs the medical school's ambulatory clerkship as well as the residency program's Shadyside Medicine Residency track.

Paul A. HemmerUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA; PAUL A. HEMMER, MD, MPH, is a professor of Medicine and vice chair of Educational Programs at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Steven J. DurningUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA; STEVEN J. DURNING, MD, PhD, is a professor of Medicine and Pathology as well as the director of the Introduction to Clinical Reasoning course at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. He also co-directs the Long-term Career Outcome Study with Dr Artino.

Abstract

This article was written to provide a brief history of the medical educational system in the USA, the current educational structure, and the current topics and challenges facing USA medical educators today. The USA is fortunate to have a robust educational system, with over 150 medical schools, thousands of graduate medical education programs, well-accepted standardized examinations throughout training, and many educational research programs. All levels of medical education, from curriculum reform in medical schools and the integration of competencies in graduate medical education, to the maintenance of certification in continuing medical education, have undergone rapid changes since the turn of the millennium. The intent of the changes has been to involve the patient sooner in the educational process, use better educational strategies, link educational processes more closely with educational outcomes, and focus on other skills besides knowledge. However, with the litany of changes have come increased regulation without (as of yet) clear evidence as to which of the changes will result in better physicians. In addition, the USA governmental debt crisis threatens the current educational structure. The next wave of changes in the USA medical system needs to focus on what particular educational strategies result in the best physicians and how to fund the system over the long term.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

Medical education in the United States of America

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Medical education in the United States of America

Abstract

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Related research

To cite this article:

Download citation

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Keep up to date

Your download is now in progress and you may close this window

Login or register to access this feature