Single accreditation system for GME gets the go-ahead

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) have agreed to a single accreditation system for graduate medical education (GME) programs in the U.S. The single accreditation system will allow graduates of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools to complete their residency and/or fellowship education in ACGME-accredited programs and demonstrate achievement of common Milestones and competencies. Currently, the ACGME and AOA maintain separate accreditation systems for allopathic and osteopathic educational programs.

Under the single accreditation system:

• AOA and AACOM will become ACGME member organizations and will nominate members to the ACGME Board of Directors.
• Two new osteopathic Review Committees will be created to evaluate and set standards for the osteopathic aspects of GME programs seeking osteopathic recognition.
• July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020 is an extended transition period for AOA-accredited programs to apply for and receive ACGME recognition and accreditation.
• Opportunity is created for MD and DO graduates who have met the prerequisite competencies to access any GME program or transfer from one accredited program to another without being required to repeat education.
• Efficiencies are realized since there is no need for institutions to sponsor dually accredited or parallel accredited allopathic and osteopathic medical residency programs.

Source: AOA