
English: Looking northeast from Queens Boulevard at Langone Medical office, NYU Columbus, on a sunny afternoon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The educators argue that for highly qualified applicants, the three-year degree can be an effective counterbalance to ever more extensive training periods
Academic medical centers can help adapt to dramatic changes in health care by offering accelerated study to selected students so that they receive a doctor of medicine degree (MD) in three years rather than the traditional four, according to educational leaders at NYU School of Medicine.
In a Perspective essay in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the educators describe how a three-year medical degree, a radical rethinking of medical education, can increase the number of productive years clinicians and physician scientists spend in the workforce, as well as reduce student debt.
The educators argue that for highly qualified applicants, the three-year degree can be an effective counterbalance to ever more extensive training periods, which now average 10 years for some subspecialties, without sacrificing quality. NYU School of Medicine began offering a three-year medical degree pathway for selected students this year.
“This article presents a compelling argument that a more effective medical education process is needed,” said lead author Steven B. Abramson, MD, vice dean for education, faculty, and academic affairs and chair of the Department of Medicine at NYU School of Medicine. “We are hopeful that this article will encourage continued discussions focused on restructuring medical education to meet the changing health care needs of the population.” In addition to Dr. Abramson, authors include Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO, NYU Langone Medical Center, and Dianna Jacob, RPA, MBA, vice president, Faculty and Academic Affairs.
“A four-year program for all graduates made sense when postgraduate training lasted two or three years. Now, residencies and fellowships routinely extend the postgraduate period to six years or more, which means that many physicians don’t enter practice until their early or mid-30s,” says Dr. Abramson. “Indeed, data from the American Medical Association show that since 1975, the percentage of physicians under the age of 35 has decreased from 28 percent to 15 percent.”
The essay describes how it has been more than 100 years since Abraham Flexner proposed the current model for medical education in North America—two years of basic science instruction followed by two years of clinical experience. Cutting the average duration of medical training, they note, by approximately 30 percent — partly by eliminating one year of medical school — can be accomplished without compromising physicians’ competence or the quality of care provided. While the three-year pathway can also reduce student debt by 25 percent, the educators acknowledge the challenges that a three-year pathway poses and say that shortening medical school education is “just one approach to address the need for change in the Post-Flexnerian era.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Rethinking Medical Education
- Bay Area teachers face confusion over when they’ll get vaccinatedon January 25, 2021 at 4:00 am
Changing vaccination policies keep many educators in the Bay Area from getting their shots, meaning likely delays in opening schools.
- Business Report: Rethinking reopening, unemployment rate, Walmart vaccines, Trump Plazaon January 22, 2021 at 1:51 pm
Another company is stepping up to provide COVID-19 vaccines in New Jersey State lawmakers have approved a bill that would change the way New Jersey approaches business closings during the pandemic.
- Rethinking the absolute franchise system in Nigeria (2)on January 20, 2021 at 8:43 pm
In my last column on the above topic, I had canvassed the view that Nigeria needs to reset her template in terms of the franchise system it operates. In that piece, Thursday, January 14, 2021, ...
- Rethinking the bottle: could plastic, cans and kegs be greener?on January 16, 2021 at 1:32 am
The British Standards Institution, which sets national standards for everything from financial services to medical devices, would like to see recycling protocols harmonised. Recycling bottles is ...
- How the pandemic highlights racial disparities in higher educationon January 12, 2021 at 3:25 pm
Typically during a recession, community college enrollment goes up as unemployed workers start looking for new skills. But that’s not happening this time around, signaling trouble for the economy and ...
- Businesses rethink political donations after Capitol siegeon January 10, 2021 at 1:52 pm
Businesses are rethinking political contributions in the ... Unlike other companies, Citi says it is pausing all federal contributions. Medical device maker Boston Scientific said Sunday it ...
- Reader's View: Rethinking higher education key to post-COVID recoveryon January 9, 2021 at 12:25 pm
Without a top-notch talent pool prepared with relevant 21st-century skills, New York businesses, ranging from health care to education to ... s front lines at Albany Medical Center and St. Peter ...
- After avalanche of injuries, Shanahan says 49ers rethinking ‘risk-reward’ on playerson January 6, 2021 at 7:28 pm
In 2019, they traded for Pro Bowl pass rusher Dee Ford, whose medical file included two back surgeries. This season, Sherman missed 11 games because of a calf issue related to one of his Achilles.
- 5 ways to rethink your resume for 2021on January 5, 2021 at 8:07 am
Get ready to take advantage of the evolving employment environment by rethinking your resume ... pharmaceutical and medical device companies through a unique skill set that leverages my IT ...
- Cheap Mass Testing Is Vital for Pandemic Victoryon January 5, 2021 at 7:46 am
Beijing’s actions demand a rethinking of failed engagement ... and avert mass life-and-death decisions by already burnt-out medical staff at overstretched hospitals. These measures carry ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Rethinking Medical Education
The Latest Bing News on:
Medical training
- Healiant Introduces Innovative Infection Prevention and Covid Safety Training and Certification Program for Medical and Pharmaceutical Sales Repson January 25, 2021 at 7:12 am
Healiant Introduces Innovative Infection Prevention and Covid Safety Training and Certification Program for Medical and Pharmaceutical Sales Reps. In the midst of the global COVID ...
- Australian Open 2021 -- How players are adapting to training in quarantineon January 25, 2021 at 4:00 am
Victoria Azarenka and 71 other players are preparing for the Aussie Open from their hotel rooms and are being forced to think creatively about their training routines in addition to managing the ...
- BSM, Netherland Group Partner To Establish World Class Medical Equipment Training Coyon January 23, 2021 at 6:49 am
By Patrick Ochoga, In a concerted move to support delivery in medical services in Edo state, the President, Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM), Elder Curtis ...
- Falls' new top cop pushes training, technologyon January 23, 2021 at 2:22 am
Falls police Chief Nelson Whitney outlines his plans for the department following his appointment to the title this month.
- Telemedicine is the Latest Tool in Jacobs School Trainingon January 22, 2021 at 2:11 pm
Medical students at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are finding themselves at the forefront of a new type of medical training brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Remains of Troops Killed in Upstate Military Training Helicopter Crash Recoveredon January 21, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Three National Guard members on a routine training flight were killed Wednesday when their helicopter crashed in a western New York town, an official said.
- Virtual Global Symposium on Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Highlights Livestream Training Benefitson January 21, 2021 at 11:41 am
The Global Symposium of the ESPINEA ® Academy in Karlsruhe, sponsored by joimax ®, showcased how modern, advanced training for surgeons works. Earlier this month, over four days, more than 300 ...
- Mass. Medical Students Training to Administer COVID-19 Vaccineon January 20, 2021 at 4:38 pm
Experts say it will take an “army of vaccinators” to protect millions of Americans from COVID-19. Proudly helping to wage that war on coronavirus are about 400 students from UMass Medical School in ...
- 40 Under 40: Andrew Randazzo leads medical training courses across Tennesseeon January 18, 2021 at 2:17 am
Andrew Randazzo is all about thinking outside the box. He started out as a paramedic, which grew into his role at Prime Medical Training. Randazzo has used his medical skills for giving back, too: ...
- Memorial Hospital developing a medical training programon January 15, 2021 at 11:52 pm
Memorial Hospital at Gulfport is looking to reach new heights in medical training. It is now developing a Graduate Medical Education program that will attract medical residents from around the country ...