Medical EducationCOMMENTARY

UGRC 2021 recommendations on GME transition: pros and cons, opportunities and limitations

John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd; Jennifer L. Swails, MD; Jessica L. Bienstock, MD, MPH; Grant L. Lin, MD; Michelle A. Roett, MD, MPH; Juhee K. Patel, DO; and Daniel W. Giang, MD
Notes and Affiliations
Notes and Affiliations

Received: December 3, 2021

Accepted: April 27, 2022

Published: May 12, 2022

  • John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd, 

    The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Philadelphia, PA, USA

  • Jennifer L. Swails, MD, 

    Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UT Health, Houston, TX, USA

  • Jessica L. Bienstock, MD, MPH, 

    Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

  • Grant L. Lin, MD, 

    Department of Neurology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

  • Michelle A. Roett, MD, MPH, 

    Department of Family Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA

  • Juhee K. Patel, DO, 

    Department of Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lehigh Valley, PA, USA

  • Daniel W. Giang, MD, 

    Department of Radiology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA

J Osteopath Med; 122(9): 461-464
Abstract

The Coalition for Physician Accountability’s Undergraduate Medical Education-Graduate Medical Education (UME-GME) Review Committee (UGRC): Recommendations for Comprehensive Improvement of the UME-GME Transition final report includes a total of 34 recommendations and outlines opportunities to transform the current processes of learner transition from a US-based MD- or DO-granting medical school or international medical education pathway into residency training in the United States. This review provides a reflection on the recommendations from the authors, all members of the UGRC, describing the pros and cons and the opportunities and limitations, in the hopes that they might inspire readers to dig deeper into the report and contribute to meaningful improvements to the current transition. The UGRC Recommendations highlight the many opportunities for improvement in the UME-to-GME transition. They are built on the connection to the system of education and formation of physicians to a more just healthcare system, with attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion to improve health disparities and to the quality of care that patients receive. However, there are justifiable concerns about changes that are not fully understood or that could potentially lead to unintentional consequences. This analysis, reached through author consensus, considers the pros and cons in the potential application of the UGRC Recommendations to improve the UME-to-GME transition. Further debate and discussion are warranted, without undue delay, all with the intention to continue to improve the education of tomorrow’s physicians and the care for the patients who we have the privilege to serve.

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