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A new pathway for medical education

Residency Program Insider, November 8, 2013

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In the future, the journey from first-year medical student to primary care physician could take as few as five years.

A new medical education model proposed by the Blue Ribbon Commission for the Advancement of Osteopathic Medical Education could shave time off training, reduce medical student debt, and alleviate the primary care physician shortage, members of the commission said during a press conference Monday. 

The commission, established by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and the American Osteopathic Association, outlined the new model in the November issue of Health Affairs. The model features a seamless transition from medical school to residency, with clinical experiences beginning in the first year of medical education. Learners would advance through curriculum based on competency rather than a prescribed length of time.

Cleveland Clinic and the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will work together to implement the commission’s recommendations. However, commission members acknowledge that larger changes within medical education, including changes to accreditation standards and GME funding models, will need to occur before the new model can become widespread.

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