Thursday, December 8 th 2011

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the organization responsible for accrediting medical education programs at universities in the United States.

M.D. programs in Canada are accredited by both the LCME and its parallel Canadian organization, the Committee on the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS).

Under normal circumstances, accreditation reviews by the LCME and the CACMS take place once every eight years.

 Currently fully accredited – all standards are in compliance  2005 short cycle visit in response to LCME accreditation visit in 2004

Major steps in the accreditation process 1) Institutional self-study 2) On-site evaluation by a team of external peer experts 3) Review of the team’s findings by the LCME 4) LCME determination of the program’s accreditation status and any necessary follow-up

 The self-study is an exhaustive review of the functioning and structure of the medical school  Most self-studies take a year or more to complete  The self-study requires the school to compile a comprehensive review which is referred to as the “medical education database”

 Institutional Setting (of the medical school)  Educational Program  Medical Students  Faculty  Educational Resources

 16 standards  Governance and administration  Academic environment

 47 standards  Educational objectives  General design of curriculum  Content of curriculum  Teaching and evaluation  Curriculum management  Program effectiveness

 37 standards  Admissions  Academic and career counseling  Financial aid counseling and resources  Health services and personal counseling  Learning environment

 14 standards  Number, qualification, functions  Personnel policies  Governance

 14 standards  Finances  General facilities  Clinical teaching facilities  Library services and information resources

 Established Self study coordinator – Dr. Shriner Steering committee – Dean as chairman Work group for each category of standards  IS work group - Dr. Gmerek  ED work group – Dr. Bennett-Clarke  MS work group – Dr. Kleshinski  FA work group – Dr. Sawicki  ER work group – Mr. Bryan Pyles

 Collect all information necessary to complete to answer database question associated with LCME standards  Discuss areas of excellence and weaknesses related to specific standards

 Review and analyze data provided by each work group in each of the five major categories of accreditation standards  Synthesize findings into a final comprehensive self-study summary report  Identify the most notable strengths and accomplishments of the program and areas for improvement

 A section with details about all required courses and clerkships  A compilation of student opinion data that includes the independent student analysis of the medical school  A copy of the results of the school’s most recent AAMC Medical School Graduation

As part of the self study process, the student leadership should begin an independent review of the medical education program, student services, the learning environment, and the adequacy of educational resources.

 Student opinion survey of all enrolled students  Design to give a comprehensive picture of student perceptions of their institution

 Analysis of the student survey  Highlight student perceptions of the program’s most notable strengths and achievements, and areas where it can improve  Submit to the steering committee about six months before the survey visit  Incorporated into the program’s final self- study summary.

 Appointment of students to the steering committee and workgroups  Design of student survey  Completion of student survey  Independent student analysis and report  Networking with students at other schools  Participation during the LCME survey visit