For Medical Students

How are med schools changing to meet future needs?

Recent interviews with medical education leaders at two medical schools reveal what those institutions are doing to help advance medical education and practice. The AMA interviewed leaders at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and David Musick, associate dean of medical education at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

In both interviews, the AMA asked what area of the learning environment needs to change. Leaders from Keck said the learning environment should nurture students, with faculty having adequate time and resources to mentor them, and promote their intellectual and professional growth. In addition, student mistreatment should not be allowed, and a culture that promotes and supports zero tolerance for mistreatment at the institutional level is essential.

"The environment should reinforce the positive and be accountable for the negative," they said.

Musick said it's important to address the cynicism that some students can experience while in school, which can cause them to lose part of the idealism that originally motivated them to become physicians.

"The renewed emphasis on medical professionalism, not just in terms of physician-to-patient relationships but also in regard to teacher-learner relationships, is a great place to begin," Musick said.

A recent report from the Association of American Medical Colleges suggests other ways that medical schools can better prepare their students. Read more in AMA MedEd Update.

Work in health policy in the nation's capital

Medical students can learn more about national health policy through the AMA's Government Relations Internship Program (GRIP), a six- to eight-week internship that provides an opportunity to enhance their medical education through work in health care policy.

Students may either arrange their own internships or request to be placed in an internship arranged by the AMA. For students arranging their own internships, eligible sites include Washington, D.C., offices of national specialty societies seated in the AMA House of Delegates and Washington, D.C.-based public health advocacy groups. Learn more on the GRIP Web page.

Submit a programming idea for next AMA-MSS meeting

Do you have an idea for a forum that could be part of this year's AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) Annual Assembly Meeting? Share your ideas with the AMA-MSS and help develop the programming for the meeting, which will take place June 14–16 in Chicago.

Ideas are due March 30. If you have questions, email Raymond Tsai and Grayson Armstrong, speakers of the AMA-MSS Governing Council, or email the AMA-MSS.

Visit the meeting Web page for details about registration and upcoming deadlines for convention committees, resolutions and leadership position applications.

Enjoy savings on USMLE, COMLEX prep guides

Are you prepared to score high on the upcoming United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)? AMA members receive discounts of up to 25 percent off the list price on medical student resources such as First Aid for the USMLE and First Aid for the COMLEX. Visit the AMA Bookstore to take advantage of these discounts.

Don't miss out on valuable resources for AMA members. Renew your membership or join the AMA today to begin to take advantage of them.