A Strategy for the Education of 21st Century Physicians

Abstract

George Washington University Medical Center has incrementally instituted a series of curriculum changes over the last 10 years which together constitute a strategy for preparing students with skills to deal with the technological, epidemiological, and social issues which they will face in future medical practice.

This article reviews the content of required curriculum revisions which include: a first year course in Methods for Reading the Medical Literature; second year courses in Issues in Health Care, Epidemiology, and Medical Decision Making; third year primary care rotation, preventive medicine and cost containment curriculums; and a recently approved fourth year course which will integrate these activities to develop continuing education skills.