For Medical Students

Med schools offering shorter training, for less tuition

New York University (NYU) and a handful of other medical schools are among the first to begin shortening medical school and, ultimately, the cost of training, according to a recent report in the New York Times.

Administrators at NYU say they can make the change without compromising quality by eliminating redundancies in their science curriculum, getting students into clinical training more quickly and adding some extra class time in the summer, the Times reports. And all while saving a quarter of the cost of tuition, which at NYU comes to $49,560. This could mean substantially less debt as medical students move into their residency training.

"We're confident that our three-year students are going to get the same depth and core knowledge, that we're not going to turn it into a trade school," Steven Abramson, MD, vice dean for education, faculty and academic affairs at NYU School of Medicine, told the Times.

The movement is not without critics, the Times reports. Some say that a three-year medical program would deprive students of the time they need to delve deeply into their subjects, to consolidate their learning and to reach the level of maturity they need to begin practicing, while adding even more pressure to a stressful academic environment.

The AMA is also doing its part to change medical education for the better, recently announcing a $10 million initiative to change the way future physicians are trained. The fund will support about 10 projects that support a significant redesign of undergraduate medical education.

The initiative supports the AMA's work to accelerate change in medical education, one of its three strategic focus areas.

Philanthropy-minded students needed for ambassador role

Medical students interested in philanthropy are invited to apply to become an AMA Foundation Medical Student Ambassador. Medical student ambassadors serve as advocates and spokespeople for the AMA Foundation and help raise money for its programs. Ambassadors serve for one year, beginning June 1.

Applications are due March 31. Learn more about this position and apply for it by visiting the AMA Medical Student Section's National Leadership Positions Web page and click on "AMA Foundation Medical Student Ambassador."

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.

The hospital: Business and public service?

This month's edition of Virtual Mentor—the AMA's online ethics journal—explains how a far-reaching change like the Affordable Care Act can affect the network of relationships that exists among hospitals, their private or public owners, their employees—increasingly including physicians—and their patients. These conflicts are often epitomized in the practice of physicians as they strive to give each patient the best possible care within the constraints imposed by the need of the hospital to survive financially.