For Medical Students

Shorten medical school to three years, study suggests

Time spent in medical education could be reduced by 30 percent—such as by shortening medical school training to three years—without compromising competence, researchers say in a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The authors—Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, and Victor R. Fuchs—argue that patient care skills can be obtained in less than two years of clinical training and suggest several areas where there could be reductions in training.

For example, the University of Pennsylvania requires just one year of preclinical science training. Meantime, Duke University medical students focus on the basic sciences in the first year, complete core clerkships during the second year, and devote the third and fourth years to research and electives.

The authors say outcomes data on alternative training arrangements are limited, but they note that there is no evidence that students from either school perform worse on board examinations, placement in residency programs, or other significant metrics of competence. In addition, the authors also argue that most residencies could be decreased by a year.

The AMA recognizes the need to reform undergraduate medical education as illustrated in its new strategic direction focusing on three areas, one of which is to accelerate change in medical education. The AMA's work in medical education will be centered on bridging the gap between how physicians are currently being trained and the future needs of the health care system.

Abstracts due Aug. 31 for AMA research symposium

Medical students have a unique opportunity to present their original research during the 10th annual AMA Research Symposium, which will take place in November in Honolulu during the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates.

The symposium includes poster and oral presentation competitions, with poster presentation prizes awarded in eight categories, one prize awarded to an overall poster presentation winner, and one oral presentation prize awarded. AMA Medical Student Section co-hosts the symposium with the AMA Resident and Fellow Section and the AMA International Medical Graduates Section.

Abstracts are due Aug. 31. Learn more about the symposium.

Apply by Aug. 1 for student spot on AMPAC board

Make a difference in the nation's capital by serving on the American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC) Board of Directors. The deadline to apply for the medical student member position is Aug. 1.

AMPAC supports the AMA's advocacy agenda by making campaign contributions to medicine-friendly candidates for Congress. AMPAC also focuses on educating and expanding the political participation of physicians and medical students. The board of directors evaluates, updates and guides these efforts to maximize the AMA's effectiveness in the nation's capital.
One seat of the board is reserved for a medical student, who serves a two-year term. Only students graduating in the spring of 2014 or later are eligible to apply.

Visit the AMA's Web page on student leadership opportunities to download an application and to learn more about this and other positions.

Member feedback wanted on AMA's new strategic direction

AMA members are invited to send feedback (AMA login required) on the AMA's new strategic direction, which focuses on three areas: improving health outcomes, accelerating change in medical education, and shaping payment and delivery models to enhance physician satisfaction.

Learn more about the new strategic direction.