Flood of new medical schools filling accreditation pipeline

While some future medical schools exist only on paper, 12 are in the process of leaping the official hurdle.

By Myrle Croasdale, AMNews staff. Jan. 21, 2008.

Officials who accredit medical schools are busier than usual these days. The creation of new campuses and the expansion of existing ones has accreditation agencies hopping as state officials and medical educators seek more physicians to prevent a shortage.

In 2007, seven allopathic medical schools were in various stages of the accreditation process. Five osteopathic schools won provisional accreditation, which allows them to start admitting medical students.

The rush is particularly unusual for the allopathic medical school community, which as had only one new school open in the past 20 years. The osteopathic community has added 10 schools since 1981.

"It's been a very active year for the LCME," said Barbara Barzansky, PhD, American Medical Association secretary to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. "In addition to new schools, there are other modes of expansion, like branch campuses, that require visits as well."

Without a stamp of approval from the LCME for allopathic programs or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation for osteopathic schools, graduates from new schools cannot take the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, and the schools cannot receive federal grants or participate in federal loan programs. Most state licensing boards will not license U.S. medical graduates from unaccredited schools.

Instead of the typical 15 to 18 site visits -- required to maintain accreditation for the 125 U.S. and 17 Canadian medical schools the LCME oversees -- Dr. Barzansky said LCME representatives made 50 site visits in 2007.