Western University’s Undergraduate Medical Education program receives full accreditation status for eight years

The Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has received full accreditation status for eight years.

Accreditation is a mandatory external process that assures the UME program meets the needs of stakeholders, including graduates, students, parents, the University, health care partners and authorities, regulators, government, patients and their families, and the general public.

It guarantees that the UME program is pedagogically sound and aligned with Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s and Western University’s strategic plans, mission, vision and values, and accepted standards in Canadian medical education.

The accreditation process took place during a four-day peer site team visit in April 2015, which was preceded by more than two years of preparation. It was led by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) in collaboration with the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME). All Canadian medical schools are subject to this accreditation process once every eight years.

“We are proud of the eight-year accreditation status that was earned as a team effort from faculty, staff, residents, health-care partners, graduates and our students through strong leadership and tireless collaboration,” said Dr. Michael J. Strong, dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

During the site visit, the accreditation team commended the School for its strength in a number of areas including strategic planning; fostering research, intellectual challenge and inquiry; the integration of the Windsor Program into the overall UME program; and academic and personal counselling through the School’s Learner Equity & Wellness office.

In total, 132 standards were reviewed through the CACMS accreditation process. These cover five categories: Institutional Setting; Educational Program for the MD Degree; Medical Students; Faculty; and Educational Resources.

Of these 132 standards, CACMS identified that Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, as a School, needs to address its approach to Diversity; Interprofessional Education; Preparation of Resident and Non-Faculty Instructors; and Service Learning, and strengthen its approach to the process of direct observation of student assessment in clinical learning.

Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is committed to continuously enriching its curriculum and strengthening itself as a School and it will now turn its attention to each of the areas identified through the accreditation process and ensure that it continues to maintain the high quality of its programs.

The School plans to update all stakeholders on the progress of its improvement process associated with each of the areas identified through accreditation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tristan Joseph, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 519-661-2111 ext. 80387, c: 519-777-1573, tristan.joseph@schulich.uwo.ca

ABOUT WESTERN

Western delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

ABOUT THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.

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