AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, and Alison J. Whelan, MD, AAMC chief academic officer, issued the following statement upon release of the final report of the Coalition for Physician Accountability’s Undergraduate Medical Education to Graduate Medical Education Review Committee (UGRC):
“The release of comprehensive recommendations to improve the transition from medical school to residency represents an important step for the next generation of physicians. We appreciate the extensive time, effort, and creativity that our colleagues on the Coalition for Physician Accountability’s UME to GME Review Committee have contributed to this initiative, and we support the concepts and themes addressed in the recommendations. We stand ready to work with our colleagues across academic medicine to address the issues identified and achieve the objectives of the recommendations.
The AAMC is deeply committed to improving the entire transition to residency – from the beginning of the specialty research and selection process through the completion of residency and on to clinical practice. Supporting the well-being, training, professional development, and equitable treatment of all medical students and residents is critical to the health of the nation.
The AAMC strategic plan and related action plans are in close alignment with many of the committee’s recommendations, and we are already actively evaluating and improving the transition to residency for future physicians through a number of AAMC services and programs. Over the last year, we have worked both within the AAMC and in partnership with coalition members and stakeholders across the academic medicine community to improve the transition to residency process. We are also regularly collaborating with specialty societies and national organizations on innovations to enhance the process and support trainees during this critical stage of their medical education journey.
True change will depend on collaboration and partnership as every organization in the coalition works together to move these recommendations to action. Going forward, we also will need to evaluate to see which recommendations will be most beneficial to achieving the goals and which may not help us meet the aims. As a member of the coalition, we are reviewing the UGRC’s report to determine where the AAMC can lead and serve our constituents, and how we can best support other stakeholders. We embrace this process and remain committed to an evidence-based approach that avoids any unintended consequences and maintains a fair and equitable process for all students, medical schools, and programs.”
View the UGRC report of recommendations here.