College Accreditation Renewed by LCME

College Accreditation Renewed by LCME

On June 26, the OU College of Medicine learned it has maintained full accreditation status from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the body that accredits M.D.-granting programs in the United States and Canada.

In addition to being compliant with all 12 LCME standards, the OU College of Medicine earned accreditation with commendation, a rare distinction signifying the high level of performance of the medical education program.

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Christopher S. Candler, M.D., Ed.D., said the achievement was made possible by the hundreds of committed faculty, staff and students who diligently worked on many accreditation processes and tasks in preparation for the LCME site visit in January.

“LCME accreditation ultimately serves the public good,” Candler said. “Full accreditation signifies that we are providing the highest level of education for our students and preparing them to be competent physicians. This accomplishment is the result of the many dedicated people within the College of Medicine.”

In its exit survey report, the LCME team noted four areas of strength within the College of Medicine:

• Educational and student affairs leaders at the college have been remarkably accessible and responsive to students at both campuses.

• The college has been highly successful in its efforts to recruit and retain Native American students and faculty members.

• The college has developed a comprehensive, objectives-driven medical education program that is effectively managed and is deeply appreciated by its students.

• The college has strengthened its efforts to eliminate student mistreatment, and data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduation Questionnaire indicate a dramatic improvement in student awareness of mistreatment policies and increased reporting of incidents. Independent Student Analysis data reflect extremely high levels of satisfaction with the policies for reporting, addressing and preventing mistreatment.

The College of Medicine did not receive any citations for non-compliance with standards. The LCME noted that it wants to monitor three areas: hospital-based resources for medical students; career advising services; and financial aid services.

Preparation for the LCME accreditation process began more than two years ago with several required reports. The Data Collection Instrument is used to report college data, policies, procedures and practices that demonstrate compliance with LCME standards. A Self-Study Summary Report, developed by a Self-Study Task Force and several subcommittees, evaluated how well the college is doing in numerous areas based on information in the Data Collection Instrument.

Materials submitted to the LCME totaled more than 2,000 pages. The LCME examined the reports ahead of its January 27-30 site visit, an activity designed to verify and clarify the submitted information. To receive such high marks from a body that analyzes virtually every aspect of educational programs was gratifying, Candler said.

Students also completed an independent analysis of the college.

“The LCME has always valued the perspective of students,” Candler said, “and it’s important to the LCME to have an unbiased view that’s free from any faculty or administrative influence. Students conduct their own independent survey that is separate from the rest of the self-study process.”

“It was validating to know that all the hard work our faculty and staff have invested in our educational program was recognized by this kind of external rigorous process,” he said.