For Residents

ACGME to accredit U.S. osteopathic programs

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) announced last month that it was entering into an agreement with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) to pursue a unified system for accrediting both allopathic and osteopathic graduate medical education programs.

The new, unified system will go into effect in July 2015. At that time, the ACGME will begin accrediting all osteopathic programs currently approved by the AOA, and the AOA and AACOM will become member organizations of the ACGME.

"This is a watershed moment for medical training in the U.S.," said Thomas Nasca, MD, chief executive officer of the ACGME. This would provide physicians in the United States with a uniform path of preparation for practice. This approach would ensure that the evaluation and accountability for the competency of resident physicians are consistent across all programs."

The current system often led to confusion and roadblocks for osteopathic residents seeking to complete training in both osteopathic and allopathic medicine. Over the next few years the organizations will work to unify the systems and modify the ACGME standards to accept AOA specialty board certification as meeting ACGME eligibility requirements for program directors and faculty. "A unified accreditation system creates an opportunity to set universal standards for demonstrating competency with a focus on positive outcomes and the ability to share information on best practices," said AOA President Ray E. Stowers, DO.

The AMA currently serves as a member organization of the ACGME, along with the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Hospital Association, American Association of Medical Colleges and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.

Candidates sought for seat on internal medicine panel

Apply today to become the next member of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Residency Review Committee of Internal Medicine. The resident member participates as a full voting member in all Residency Review Committee of Internal Medicine activities, including program review and policy discussion. Resident members must be able to devote 30 to 35 hours to program review before each committee meeting, and the RRC meets twice annually.

Visit the AMA Resident and Fellow Section's Leadership Opportunities Web page to learn more about this AMA slotted seat and how to apply.