The Future of Medical Education

The Future of Medical Education Douglas L. Wood, D.O., Ph.D. President American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Should Medical Education Change? 1.On the whole, medical student education is very good and no significant changes are necessary. 2. On the whole, medical student education is sound and requires only minor changes. 3. Medical students education today has many good attributes but needs fundamental reform. 4. There is so much wrong with medical student education today that thorough reform is needed. JAMA 1991 1. 2. 3. 67.8% of 121 M.D. Deans - fundamental changes necessary 27.3% - minor change 5% - through reform How would they vote today? The Case for Change 1. 2. 3. 4. Internal and external dissatisfaction with medical schools Challenges to the traditional scope of practice Increased public awareness Development of alternative models for medical education The Case for Change 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. The Information Revolution The Human Genome Project The Quality Movement Population-based care Rapid advances in medical knowledge Cultural competence and diversity Are we able to change? 1. 2. 3. Bloom - 1988 Christakes - 1995 Regan - Smith - Reform Without Change: Update 1998 Medical Education in the Future 1. Student rather than teacher centered 1.1 Emphasis on student learning rather than teaching 1.2 Focus on student rather than faculty productivity 1.3 Change from faculty disciplinary interest to what students need to know Medical Education in the Future 1.4 Focus on student learning styles rather than faculty teaching styles 1.5 Change in focus from classroom teaching to student learning Medical Education in the Future Changes in basic science education 1. 2. Emphasis on principles Integration across entire curriculum Medical Education in the Future Cognitive Science findings integrated. Expertise is: 1. 2. 3. Problem-specific Knowledge (not skills) based Predicated upon learner’s ability to transform information Medical Education in the Future Importance of Technology 1. 2. 3. 4. Biomedical information Simulators and simulations Artificial intelligence CAI Medical Education in the Future Significant changes in the process of medical education 1. 2. 3. 4. Lectures decreased Students as instructors Use of small groups Teachers as facilitators Medical Education in the Future 5. 6. 7. 8. Changes in evaluation methods Texts updated Information management skills Interactive laboratories and clinical simulations Medical Education in the Future 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Provide patient-centered care Work in interdisciplinary teams Employ evidence-based practice Apply quality improvement Utilize informatics Medical Education in the Future BEME