Prestigious conference addresses complex medical school issues
Posted: April 3, 2009
SOMA Dean Douglas Wood, Ph.D., D.O.
ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) Dean Douglas Wood, Ph.D., D.O., was one of 35 invitation-only attendees at a conference convened by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation in October 2008 to address complex issues concerning the educational missions of medical schools. The resulting report, released in January 2009, urges the nation’s medical schools to reform educational models to better address the need to give future physicians the right mix of competencies and experiences needed to practice medicine effectively.
“It was a privilege to be invited to this meeting. It was probably the most exciting and invigorating one I’ve ever attended,” said Dr. Wood, who has attended many conferences during his long career in medical education. “These were top notch leaders from across the country, which meant the discussions were very challenging and interesting,” he continued.
Dr. Wood pointed out that many of the report’s recommendations are currently being addressed at SOMA. Highlights of the report include teaching medical students about patient-centered care, working collaboratively as members of healthcare teams, using community-based settings more as classrooms, public health education, and self-directed learning – all things that SOMA already has on its radar, and many of which are already being implemented.
The Foundation has recognized an opportunity for change considering the number of new medical schools opening up and the number of current medical schools who are increasing their class sizes to address projected physician shortages. According to Dr. Wood, there was an overall enthusiasm about the possibility of real change. “I hope that, with the guidance of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation and in partnership with others, including the government and accrediting agencies, this agenda will move forward soon.”