CURRENT STATUS AND DIRECTIONS OF MEDICAL-EDUCATION IN THE UNITED-STATES

This paper reviews the historical and present imperative to make changes in medical education and describes the spectrum of changes which have and are occurring. There have been calls to address the intensity, length and cost of medical education. Specific teaching methods such as the lecture format have been challenged. The typical inpatient site for education has been found wanting. In response, institutional goals and objectives are being revised and new student evaluation techniques put into place. Students are being challenged to become self-directed problem solvers. Revisions. substitutions and additions are occurring in teaching sites. Society s expectations are high and medical schools are attempting to meet them.