For Medical Students

Data show that mistreatment persists at medical schools

A new survey of 12,195 students at 126 U.S. medical schools found that 47 percent experienced some form of mistreatment, according to the Association of American Medical College's 2012 Medical Student Graduation Questionnaire. Of those, only 17 percent reported the incidents to a faculty member or administrator.

The report, released in July, stated that some of the most common complaints include students being publicly humiliated, subjected to sexist remarks or required to perform personal services.

A separate study published July 25 in Academic Medicine also found that student mistreatment persists. The study at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, revealed that 60 percent of 1,946 third-year students surveyed between 1996 and 2008 experienced mistreatment. Incidence peaked at 75 percent between 1996 and 1998 and dropped to 57 percent between 1999 and 2008, the study said.

View American Medical News' coverage of both.

The AMA is committed to addressing the issue of student mistreatment. During the 2011 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, the AMA held an education program that outlined the scope of the problem and suggested potential solutions. Co-sponsored by the AMA Council on Medical Education, the AMA Section on Medical Schools and the AMA Medical Student Section, the program brought together the perspectives of medical school deans, resident physicians and medical students. An online presentation summary of the program provides a flavor of the discussion.

In addition, the AMA held a conference in December 2011 with invited guests from a variety of stakeholder groups. The goal of the conference was to identify ways to isolate the sources and causes of mistreatment and to develop strategies to address the issue.

Apply for leadership role on AMA-MSS "board"

AMA member medical students are invited to apply to be the chair-elect for the 2012-2013 AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) Governing Council. The chair-elect will take over as chair in 2013-2014.

The governing council serves as the "board" of the AMA-MSS in that its members direct the programs and activities of the Section on a national level. The chair oversees the council and provides direction for AMA-MSS initiatives.

Applications are due Oct. 4. To access an application, visit the AMA-MSS National Leadership Positions Web page and click on "AMA-MSS Governing Council."

Encourage your friends and classmates to join the AMA

AMA membership is important throughout all years of medical school—and it's never too late to join. Here's a snapshot of the benefits available to AMA members throughout medical school.

First year

• Free Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards with four-year membership
• Subscription to the Journal of the American Medical Association

Second year

• AMA member-only discounts on the First Aid for the USMLE and First Aid for the COMLEX series and the Rapid Review series
• 30 percent savings on Kaplan Qbank products

Third year

• AMA members-only access to FREIDA Online®, your go-to place to research residency programs
• Print and online versions of the AMA's Choosing a Medical Specialty Resource Guide

Fourth year

• Access to "Succeeding from Medical School to Practice" online guide
• Hertz car rental savings for traveling to interviews

Don't miss out on valuable resources for AMA members. Renew your membership or join the AMA today to begin receiving these benefits.