Accreditation ; Medical education ; Organization and administration
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.