Are Medical Schools Teaching Future Doctors Everything They Need To Know?

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 23 Aug 2005 - 4:00 PDT

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According to survey results, released today, physicians-in-training are receiving traditional education, but are not being offered curricula that keeps pace with the advances in the healthcare industry. As summer vacation ends and schools re-open, medical students wonder, am I receiving an education that will make me a competent physician? Results show that only 17 percent of students are very satisfied with their curricula.

The survey, conducted by the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, also shows that over 35 percent of students are not required to study medical ethics. Over half of respondents (57.5 percent) are not offered courses or are not sure of their options in bioterrorism or disaster preparedness.

"Medical education should provide students with the information and skills they need to enter medicine as physicians worthy of the public trust," says Leana S. Wen, AMSA national president. "It is a constant challenge for medical schools to teach the traditional medical curriculum while also incorporating new, timely topics. However, it is absolutely necessary that medical schools recognize this challenge and strive to develop physicians who can effectively provide care in this modern healthcare environment."

Highlights of the survey include:

-- Over 24% of respondents are not provided education on health disparities.

-- Only 17% of respondents are very satisfied with their medical education.

-- Respondents report their curriculum includes no classes/electives on:

- Business of medicine (47%)
- Technology advances in medicine (35%)
- Global HIV/AIDS (31%)
- Complementary and alternative medicine (26%)

"Medical education has not evolved at the same pace as the health care delivery system. We are being trained to practice in an environment that no longer exists," says an anonymous respondent. Another reports the experience as, "very traditional. Disappointingly so."

"To ensure that future physicians are properly prepared and curricula is all-encompassing, students and educators must collaborate and continue to refine medical education," continues Wen. "AMSA continues to work with educators to develop the best curriculum possible that not only reflects the clinical skills future doctors need, but also the other aspects of being a socially responsible physician in our modern and diverse society."

This survey was conducted to gather a general assessment on medical students' attitudes on medical school curricula. AMSA designed and widely solicited this online survey to AMSA members-322 students responded. For more information, please visit: http://www.amsa.org/meded.

About the American Medical Student Association The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With nearly 60,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education.

To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at
amsa.org.

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