Medical Education System needs an Overhaul

The current medical education system based on rote memorization is not preparing physicians for how medicine is currently practiced.  Today, with the ability to look up any detail instantly, memorizing biochemical pathways or other such trivia isn't an excellent use of anyone's time. Critics assert that students must be taught the best way to find info and how to utilize it rather than simply memorizing facts. This argument is supported by the fact the body of medical knowledge doubles every couple of years.

Today's medicine is often practiced in a team environment working together for the most effective possible outcomes. The "hero physician" model of training has a tendency to produce physicians that are unable to work well in a team and therefore are unprepared to practice in today's collaborative setting.

Residency-training plans may need to be updated too. Currently, these programs encourage recent graduates to go into specialization training as opposed to primary care. The amount of specialized training positions has gone up almost 60% versus just an 8% increase in primary training positions, despite the considerably greater need for primary care physicians. Programs that support and prepare doctors to work in underserved or rural areas are also lacking.

The American Medical Association (AMA) is starting to recognize the demand for change and are working on plans to change the medical education system. One new program focuses on preparing doctors to work in the current practice setting. Most of the changes center on the changes found in the "digital age". Electronic health records, global online collaborations, personalized medicine, the ability to quickly locate and use information on any topic, and continuously evolving technologies are some of the areas the new program intends to focus on.

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