Project Medical Education
The ProgramThe
Project Medical Education (PME) model program is based on ideas collected from
knowledgeable government relations and communications professionals representing
a cross-section of the nation's medical schools and teaching hospitals. The program's
core messages are designed to fill knowledge gaps identified through polls conducted
with Congressional members and their staff. In polls and focus groups, participants
said they want: - an "up close and personal" look at medical
education;
- a program that moves at a rapid pace, not one that relies
only on sitting and listening
- to have the process presented in "hands-on"
situations where they can see it at work; and
- to speak to a variety of
sources, particularly students and residents.
 Based
on this information, PME designed a program where participants are "admitted"
to medical schools, presented with a white coat and directed through activities
that show them what it takes to become a doctor. In the process, they gain a better
understanding of the operations of medical schools and teaching hospitals - and
the impact of their legislative actions.
The PME model program is highly
flexible. The basic program contains 12 modules that can be presented in their
entirety as a 1 ½ day program; these modules may be compressed, expanded
or rearranged depending upon the individual needs of the institution or the participant's
schedule. After completing Project Medical Education, participants are encouraged
to share their experience with their co-workers and urge them to take part in
a successive PME program. Additionally, the host institution is offered as a resource
for information on health care issues. Combining all of these elements helps participants
use their new perspectives in shaping policy to benefit medical education.
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