Is the Accreditation in Medical Education an Opportunity or a Burden?
10.17496/kmer.2020.22.1.16
- Author:
Hanna JUNG
1
;
Woo Taek JEON
;
Shinki AN
Author Information
1. Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Review Article
- From:
Korean Medical Education Review
2020;22(1):16-27
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The accreditation process (AccP) is both an opportunity and a burden for medical schools—which one it becomes depends on how medical schools recognize and utilize the AccP. In other words, if a medical school recognizes the AccP only as a formal procedure or as a means for continuing medical education, it will be a burden for the medical school. However, if a medical school recognizes the real and positive value of the AccP, it can be both an opportunity and a tool for developing medical education. The educational value of the AccP is to improve the quality, equity, and efficiency of medical education, along with increasing the options of choice. In order for the AccP to contribute to the development of medical education, accrediting agencies and medical schools must first be recognized as part of an “educational alliance” working together towards common goals. Secondly, clear guidelines on the accreditation standards should be periodically reviewed and shared. Finally, a formative evaluation using self-evaluation as a system that can utilize the AccP as an opportunity to develop medical education must be introduced. This type of evaluation system could be developed through collaboration among medical schools, academic societies for medical education, and the accrediting authority.