- According to a Medical News Today article, “Students At Risk For Difficulties In Medical School Identified By Study,” there are numerous profile factors that “may prevent or hinder acceptance into a residency program if they do graduate.” The Journal of the American Medical Association study shows that students who entered med school with low MCAT scores, high levels of debt, and who are non-white were “more likely to experience difficulties” such as withdrawing or being dismissed from medical school, or graduating but not passing one or both licensing exams on the first attempt.
- A Mayo Clinic study shows that 53% of medical students surveyed were “burned-out.” These students were more likely to become involved in unprofessional, dishonest conduct in relation to patient care. Burned-out students were also less likely to show interest in providing medical services to the underserved. According to Liselotte Dyrbey, one of the authors of the study, “This is concerning since burnout is a pervasive problem among medical students, residents, and physicians in practice. As our nation reforms its health care system, it is essential that physicians advocate for patients, promote the public heath, and reduce the barriers to equitable health care. Burnout appears to be a threat to this process.” 4,400 students were surveyed from seven major medical schools – Mayo Medical School, the University of Alabama, the University of California at San Diego, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, the University of Washington, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. (Source: Medical News Today, “Med School Burnout Linked to Unprofessional Behavior“)
- In an effort to diversify its faculty, Penn Med has hired more female faculty members into top academic positions. “The ultimate goal is to create an environment where women can succeed fully in their careers, thus maximizing their contributions to academic medicine and improving the workplace for all faculty, both men and women,” explains Stephanie Abbuhl, executive director of FOCUS, a program that supports the advancement of women in academic medicine. A number of Penn spokespeople further explain that the presence of women in high academic positions is important for two reasons—to show that the medical field is not a men-only field, and to offer role models to the female student population. (Source: The Daily Pennsylvanian, “Penn Med increases numbers of female admins“)
- Penn Med’s $13 million gift from the National Institute of Health will help fund the school’s new Translational Research Center, set to open in spring 2011. According to a DP article, “Penn Med receives $13 million for new research center,” the center will be devoted to the interdisciplinary mix of “hands-on research laboratories with patient-care facilities.”
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Read the full article: Medical School Admissions News Roundup: School Difficulties, Burnout, Penn Med Updates
