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Check and Apply for the Medical Courses in South Korea ....
Dec 18, 2023 09:15:39
1. medical degree programs (md).
Language Barrier: The biggest challenge for international students is the language requirement. Most MD programs are taught in Korean, and proficiency in Korean (often TOPIK level 4 or higher) is essential.
Top Medical Schools: Prestigious institutions like Seoul National University (SNU), Yonsei University, and Korea University offer renowned medical programs.
Admission Requirements: These include high school diploma, undergraduate degree in a relevant field (for graduate entry), language proficiency, and passing the Medical Education Eligibility Test (similar to the MCAT).
English-Taught Programs: For those interested in the medical field but facing language barriers, biomedical science programs are a viable alternative. These programs are more likely to be offered in English.
Research and Development Focus: These programs often focus on research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other healthcare-related areas.
Universities: Institutions like KAIST , POSTECH , and Sungkyunkwan University offer well-respected programs in these areas.
Programs Available: Master’s and PhD programs in public health, healthcare management, and related fields are often available in English.
Scope: These programs focus on the broader aspects of healthcare, including policy, management, epidemiology, and global health.
Universities: Seoul National University , Yonsei University , and Korea University are among those offering these programs.
English-Taught Programs: Some universities offer nursing and allied health courses in English, though they are less common.
Scope: These include degrees in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other allied health professions.
Undergraduate Programs: High school diploma, language proficiency, entrance exams, and sometimes interviews or additional tests.
Graduate Programs: Bachelor’s degree, language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS for English-taught programs, TOPIK for Korean-taught programs), letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and sometimes GRE or GMAT scores.
Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP): Offers full scholarships for international students, including tuition, living expenses, and language courses.
University Scholarships: Many universities offer their scholarships for international students.
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Top medical universities in south korea.
Seoul National University (SNU) College of Medicine
Programs: Known for its excellent medical program, but primarily taught in Korean.
Opportunities for International Students: Research, exchange programs, and postgraduate courses in related fields might be available in English.
Yonsei University College of Medicine
Programs: Offers one of the leading medical programs in South Korea.
International Opportunities: Yonsei has various programs for international students, though direct medical study might require Korean proficiency.
Korea University College of Medicine
Programs: Known for its strong emphasis on research and clinical skills.
International Student Accessibility: They offer some programs in English, primarily at the graduate level.
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) School of Medicine
Programs: Renowned for its medical education and research facilities.
English-Taught Programs: Offers programs in biomedical fields and may have some courses in English.
Kyungpook National University School of Medicine
Programs: Offers comprehensive medical education, with a strong research focus.
International Student Options: Mainly in research and related medical fields.
Hanyang University College of Medicine
Programs: Known for its innovation in medical education and research.
Opportunities for Non-Korean Speakers: Includes courses and programs in English in related fields.
Language Proficiency: For programs taught in Korean, proficiency in the language (TOPIK Level 4 or higher) is often required. Some universities offer intensive Korean language courses for international students.
Graduate Studies and Research: Opportunities are more abundant at the graduate level, with various programs offering courses in English, especially in fields like public health, biomedical sciences, and healthcare management.
Entrance Requirements: These vary but generally include a strong academic record, language proficiency, and for medical programs, an undergraduate degree in a related field.
Scholarships: Options like the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) are available for international students, covering tuition and living expenses.
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1. Seoul National University (SNU) College of Medicine : SNU is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in South Korea, and its College of Medicine is highly regarded for its rigorous curriculum, research opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities.
2. Yonsei University College of Medicine : Known for its comprehensive medical program and innovative research, Yonsei is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in South Korea. It has a strong focus on global health and offers international collaborations.
3. Korea University College of Medicine : This institution is recognized for its high-quality education and research in medical fields. Korea University also emphasizes practical skills and clinical experience, providing students with hands-on training in their affiliated hospitals.
4. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) School of Medicine : SKKU, especially known for its partnership with Samsung Medical Center, offers excellent medical education and research opportunities. It is particularly renowned for advancements in medical technology and biomedical research.
5. Kyung Hee University College of Medicine : This university is well-known for its strong programs in both Western and traditional Korean medicine. Kyung Hee University is also recognized for its research contributions and modern medical facilities.
6. Hanyang University College of Medicine : Hanyang is known for its innovative approach to medical education and research, with strong emphasis on practical skills and clinical experience.
7. Pusan National University School of Medicine : Located in Busan, this university is notable for its research output and comprehensive medical education, with a strong focus on community health.
8. Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine : This institution is well-regarded for its medical education, research, and healthcare services, with a focus on holistic care and ethical considerations in medicine.
9. Ajou University School of Medicine : Ajou University is known for its strong international collaborations and research-focused medical education, particularly in areas like biomedical sciences.
10. Ewha Womans University School of Medicine : As one of the leading women's universities globally, Ewha offers a unique perspective in medical education and research, with a commitment to women's health and gender-specific medicine.
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1. korean government scholarship program (kgsp) / global korea scholarship (gks).
Offered By: The Korean Government
Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, airfare, language courses, and more.
Eligibility: International students pursuing undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees in South Korea. Specific eligibility criteria may vary.
Application: Typically through the Korean embassy in your country or directly to the participating Korean university.
Many South Korean universities offer their scholarships for international students. These can vary significantly in terms of coverage and eligibility. Some notable universities with medical programs offering scholarships include:
Seoul National University (SNU)
Yonsei University
Korea University
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)
Hanyang University
Several private organizations and corporations in South Korea offer scholarships, some of which are open to students pursuing medical studies. These scholarships might have specific eligibility criteria, such as field of study, nationality, or academic excellence.
For those interested in medical research, there are scholarships available specifically for research programs, including PhD and research-oriented master’s degrees. These are often provided by the universities themselves or by research institutions.
If you need to improve your Korean language skills before commencing medical studies, there are scholarships available for language and cultural programs, which can serve as a stepping stone to a medical degree in Korea.
Research Thoroughly: Each scholarship has its own application process and eligibility criteria. Make sure to research each option thoroughly.
Early Application: Start the application process early, as gathering documents and meeting requirements can take time.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Korean might be necessary for medical programs, so consider scholarships that include language courses.
Contact Universities: Reach out to the international students office of the universities you are interested in for detailed information about available scholarships and financial aid.
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Structure of medical education in south korea.
1. Undergraduate-Postgraduate System: Unlike some countries where medical education starts right after high school, in South Korea, it usually follows an undergraduate-postgraduate model. Students first complete a Bachelor’s degree (usually a 4-year course) and then proceed to a 4-year medical program (equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine, MD).
2. Bachelor’s Degree: The initial undergraduate phase can be in a field related to medicine, like Biomedical Science, Biology, or even non-science fields.
3. Medical School Admission: Admission to the medical program (MD) is highly competitive and requires excellent grades in the undergraduate course, high scores on the Medical Education Eligibility Test (MEET), and proficiency in the Korean language.
For international students, directly enrolling in a Bachelor’s program in medicine might not be feasible due to language and system differences. However, you can consider related undergraduate programs:
Biomedical Sciences
Public Health
Life Sciences
These programs are more likely to be available in English and can be a stepping stone towards a medical career or postgraduate medical studies.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Korean Proficiency: For programs taught in Korean, proficiency in the language is crucial. This is especially true for clinical and medical programs.
English-Taught Programs: Some universities offer science-related courses in English, which might be more accessible for international students.
High School Diploma: With good grades, particularly in science subjects.
Language Proficiency: TOPIK for Korean-taught programs; TOEFL or IELTS for English-taught programs.
Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT scores might be required.
Additional Requirements: Essays, letters of recommendation, interviews, and extracurricular achievements can also be important.
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Types of master's programs available.
1. Biomedical Sciences: Focused on research in biological and medical sciences, including areas like molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry.
2. Public Health: Covering aspects like epidemiology, health policy, global health, and healthcare management.
3. Healthcare Management/Administration: Concentrating on the management and administration aspects of healthcare systems.
4. Medical Engineering or Biotechnology: Bridging the gap between engineering, technology, and medicine.
5. Nursing and Healthcare Informatics: Advanced studies in nursing or the application of informatics in healthcare settings.
1. Seoul National University (SNU): Offers various graduate programs in public health, biomedical sciences, and healthcare management.
2. Yonsei University: Known for its strong programs in public health, nursing, and biomedical sciences.
3. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST): Offers specialized programs in medical science and engineering, focusing on research and innovation.
4. Korea University: Provides various graduate options in health sciences and biomedical fields.
5. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU): Known for its advanced research in biomedical and health sciences.
6. Hanyang University: Offers programs in biomedical engineering and healthcare management.
1. Bachelor’s Degree: In a relevant field from an accredited institution.
2. Language Proficiency: For English-taught programs, TOEFL or IELTS scores are usually required. For Korean-taught programs, proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is necessary.
3. Academic Records: Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
4. Research Proposal: Especially for research-focused programs, a well-developed research proposal may be required.
5. Work Experience: Beneficial for certain programs, particularly in healthcare management or administration.
Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP): Provides tuition, living expenses, and language courses.
University Specific Scholarships: Many universities offer scholarships for international students, which may cover tuition fees, living expenses, or both.
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Types of phd programs.
1. Biomedical Sciences: Involving in-depth research in areas like molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology.
2. Clinical Research: Focused on the study of clinical trials, drug development, and patient-centered research.
3. Public Health: Covering epidemiology, health policy, global health issues, and preventive medicine.
4. Medical Engineering/Biotechnology: Bridging advanced engineering and technology with medical applications.
5. Healthcare Management and Policy: For those interested in the administrative, policy-making, and management aspects of healthcare.
1. Seoul National University (SNU): Known for its rigorous research programs in various medical and health science fields.
2. Yonsei University: Offers a wide range of research opportunities, particularly in biomedical sciences and public health.
3. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST): Renowned for its innovative research in medical engineering and biotechnology.
4. Korea University: Strong in clinical research and public health studies.
5. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU): Notable for research in biomedical sciences and partnerships with leading medical institutions.
6. Hanyang University: Offers robust programs in medical engineering and healthcare management.
1. Master’s Degree: Usually in a relevant field, although some programs may accept outstanding candidates directly from a bachelor’s degree.
2. Research Proposal: A comprehensive proposal outlining your intended research area.
3. Academic Transcripts and Recommendations: From previous university studies.
4. Language Proficiency: For English-taught programs, a TOEFL or IELTS score is required. Korean proficiency (TOPIK) is necessary for Korean-taught programs.
5. Interviews: Some programs may require interviews, either in person or online.
Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP): Provides comprehensive support including tuition fees, living expenses, and language courses.
University-Specific Scholarships: Many universities offer scholarships and research grants for PhD students.
Research Assistantships: Often available, providing hands-on experience while supporting studies.
Contact Potential Supervisors: It’s crucial to establish contact with potential supervisors before applying.
Customize Your Application: Tailor your application to highlight how your research interests align with the university’s expertise.
Plan for Language Requirements: Consider taking language courses if your program requires proficiency in Korean.
Top Universitys in South Korea
For undergraduate medical programs (pre-medical courses).
High School Graduation: Completion of high school or equivalent secondary education.
Academic Performance: Strong academic record, especially in science subjects.
Language Proficiency:
For Korean-taught programs: High level of Korean proficiency, usually demonstrated by a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) score.
For English-taught programs: TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent test scores.
Entrance Exams: Some universities require SAT, ACT, or equivalent exams.
Interviews: May be part of the selection process.
Bachelor’s Degree: Typically, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a science-related field.
Pre-Medical Coursework: Completion of pre-medical requirements, which may include courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Entrance Exams: Korean Medical Education Eligibility Test (MEE) or equivalent.
Language Proficiency: High level of Korean proficiency is essential for programs taught in Korean.
Academic Performance: Strong undergraduate GPA and a good score on the relevant entrance exam.
Interviews and Additional Assessments: Personal interviews, essays, and other assessments may be required.
Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree: A relevant undergraduate degree for Master’s programs, and a Master's degree for PhD programs.
Research Proposal: Particularly for PhD applicants, a well-formulated research proposal aligned with the university’s research areas.
Academic Performance: Strong academic record in previous university-level studies.
For Korean-taught programs: TOPIK score.
For English-taught programs: TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent.
Letters of Recommendation: Usually required from academic referees.
Work Experience: May be considered, especially for programs like healthcare management.
General intake periods.
Spring Intake
Application Period: Typically occurs around September to November in the year preceding the start of the program.
Start of Semester: Usually begins in March.
Fall Intake
Application Period: Commonly runs from May to June in the same year the semester begins.
Start of Semester: Generally starts in Septembe.
1. Undergraduate Pre-Medical or Biomedical Programs: Follow the general university intake periods. However, exact dates can vary, and it’s essential to check each university’s schedule.
2. Professional Medical Programs (MD): These programs can have more specific and sometimes more restrictive application periods. Admissions for MD programs are highly competitive and may require additional entrance examinations or assessments.
3. Graduate Programs (Master’s and PhD): While generally aligning with the university’s intake periods, some graduate programs, especially research-focused ones, might have more flexible application dates.
1. Research and Preparation: Start by researching universities and specific programs to understand their requirements and deadlines.
2. Documentation: Gather necessary documents, including academic transcripts, proof of language proficiency, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
3. Entrance Exams and Language Tests: Schedule and prepare for any required exams (e.g., TOPIK for Korean language proficiency, GRE, GMAT, or specific medical school entrance tests).
4. Application Submission: Apply either directly to the university or through their designated application platforms before the deadline.
5. Follow-up: Some programs might require interviews or additional assessments.
1. Early Preparation: Start the application process well in advance. This is especially important for gathering documents and meeting language requirements.
2. Scholarships and Funding: If you’re applying for scholarships, be aware that their application deadlines may differ from the program application deadlines.
3. Visa Application: Leave ample time for the student visa application process once you receive an admission offer.
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Undergraduate programs (pre-medical or biomedical sciences).
Public Universities: Tuition fees at public universities are generally more affordable, ranging from about 3,000 to 5,000 USD per year.
Private Universities: Fees at private institutions can be higher, averaging around 6,000 to 12,000 USD per year.
Public Universities: Tuition for the MD program in public universities can range from approximately 4,000 to 7,000 USD per year.
Private Universities: These programs can be more expensive in private universities, with fees potentially ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 USD per year or more.
Public Universities: Graduate program fees in public universities usually range from 3,000 to 6,000 USD per year.
Private Universities: The fees can range from 5,000 to 15,000 USD per year, depending on the program and university.
Living Costs: Living expenses in South Korea can vary widely depending on lifestyle and location. On average, an international student might need about 700 to 1,500 USD per month for accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses.
Insurance, Books, and Supplies: These can add to the overall cost. Health insurance is mandatory for international students in South Korea.
Language Courses: If you need to take Korean language courses, this will be an additional cost to consider.
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Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Associated data.
The accreditation process is both an opportunity and a burden for medical schools in Korea. The line that separates the two is based on how medical schools recognize and utilize the accreditation process. In other words, accreditation is a burden for medical schools if they view the accreditation process as merely a formal procedure or a means to maintain accreditation status for medical education. However, if medical schools acknowledge the positive value of the accreditation process, accreditation can be both an opportunity and a tool for developing medical education. The accreditation process has educational value by catalyzing improvements in the quality, equity, and efficiency of medical education and by increasing the available options. For the accreditation process to contribute to medical education development, accrediting agencies and medical schools must first be recognized as partners of an educational alliance working together towards common goals. Secondly, clear guidelines on accreditation standards should be periodically reviewed and shared. Finally, a formative self-evaluation process must be introduced for institutions to utilize the accreditation process as an opportunity to develop medical education. This evaluation system could be developed through collaboration among medical schools, academic societies for medical education, and the accrediting authority.
Background/rationale.
The administrative burden faced by medical schools in Korea has increased as evaluations of medical schools have evolved into an accreditation process. Simultaneously, however, accreditation is an excellent opportunity since it serves as a “gold standard” for improving the quality of medical education [ 1 ]. Many studies have cited accreditation as an opportunity to reform the curriculum and strengthen educational programs [ 2 - 9 ].
The Flexner report, the current prototype of medical education accreditation, was done by Abraham Flexner in the early 20th century to record and evaluate medical schools in North America [ 10 ]. Flexner [ 10 ] regarded the educational model of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as the standard model for evaluating medical schools and other related institutions. The report catalyzed major improvements in medical education [ 11 ]. After the report, underqualified medical schools quickly began to close or merge. As a result, between 1910 and 1922, the number of medical schools in the United States decreased from 131 to 81 [ 12 ]. Flexner [ 10 ] proposed the “2 plus 2” medical education model, involving 2 years of preclinical basic science education and 2 years of clinical training, and placed a greater emphasis on the curriculum and the admission process. In this way, the Flexner report became a significant turning point in medical education, not just in the United States and Canada, but also globally [ 13 ].
Medical school evaluation, which traces its roots to the 20th-century United States, is consistent with the current process of medical education accreditation. It is essential to provide external feedback to improve performance because relying only on self-evaluation may be inaccurate [ 14 ]. However, feedback through medical education accreditation is meaningful only when the accreditation body and medical schools trust each other. Medical schools (as medical education providers) and accreditation agencies (as evaluators and feedback providers) form an “educational alliance.” This concept originated from psychotherapy, where patients and therapists form a therapeutic alliance [ 15 ]. In such an alliance, it is not sufficient that the therapist merely provides feedback; instead, the feedback must be given within a relationship of trust with the patient. Likewise, the feedback from the accreditation body must be in the context of trust. Medical schools need to listen to the feedback and view it as an opportunity to improve. Likewise, the accreditation body should also listen to medical schools’ feedback, creating a mutually beneficial interaction [ 15 ].
Due to a lack of sufficient human resources to prepare for accreditation, medical school administrators may face various difficulties. Regular visits for accreditation may be regarded as burdens, rather than opportunities. Furthermore, medical educators may experience accreditation fatigue or accreditation burnout and may perceive accreditation negatively [ 2 ]. Moreover, the accreditation of medical education has become mandatory worldwide, including in Korea; as such, it has become a “must-have” option, not just a desirable option, even if it is not burdensome [ 3 - 5 , 7 , 9 , 13 , 16 ]. Medical schools can make more real changes if they think of accreditation as an opportunity to implement innovations or as a tool for reorganizing the curriculum.
This review aims to help medical schools to take full advantage of the accreditation process as an educational development opportunity. First, the meaning and goals of accreditation are explained. Second, we introduce accreditation standards and elements, and present a comparison between Korea’s model of the accreditation process and the models of other countries. Third, we discuss how the pedagogical value of education has been realized in the medical education field. Lastly, based on these discussions, we propose directions for the accreditation body and medical schools to improve medical education quality.
Medical education accreditation is divided into evaluation, which applies to the entire medical education program, and accreditation, which involves an assessment of medical schools’ educational qualifications [ 17 ]. Many countries use accreditation as a regulatory mechanism to improve medical education [ 7 ]. However, policymakers have generally not used the corresponding evidence when attempting to make reforms, or have made incremental changes based on ideas that selectively cited the relevant evidence [ 18 ]. The results of accreditation can contribute to making medical school-related policy decisions through a rational process. In this respect, accreditation can be a powerful driving force and catalyst for medical education reform [ 6 , 19 ].
Another aspect of accreditation is that it serves as a safeguard between education providers and consumers, “Thus, it is expected that accreditation standards will foster the medical programs that prepare graduates to deal with new knowledge and become lifelong learners (World Health Organization, 2005)” [ 13 ]. Being accredited to provide a medical education program reflects a guarantee that the program competently manages education and training [ 17 ]. In light of the demand for medical education, accreditation can also help protect society from the impact of poor-quality medical education programs; furthermore, social trust in medical schools and physicians can be secured by confirming physicians’ essential competency [ 13 , 17 ]. Therefore, medical school accreditation can serve as a tool to increase medical expertise and to promote communication and interactions with society. Medical education accreditation has the ultimate goal of improving the health of the community [ 6 , 13 , 20 ]. The following objectives can be pursued to achieve the ultimate goal of accreditation [ 2 , 13 ]:
The key elements of accreditation are legislative establishment of the accreditation body, precise setting and presentation of accreditation standards, and effective certification procedures.
The accreditation body must be legislated as a public organization considering the impact of accreditation on medical education and public health. The types of publicly recognized accreditation bodies vary by country. In many countries, government agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education can accredit educational institutions [ 1 ]. There are also cases where the government approves independent institutions as accreditation bodies, such as the General Medical Council (GMC) in the United Kingdom, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in the United States, and the Korean Institute for Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE) in Korea. In such cases, the authority of the certification body is determined by government-approved laws [ 1 , 21 ]. The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) conducts a recognition program for each country’s accreditation body ( Fig. 1 ). The WFME’s recognition of accreditation bodies in various countries means that the quality of the medical education programs accredited by each accreditation body can be guaranteed externally [ 22 ]. As of December 2019, a total of 20 accreditation agencies were recognized by the WFME. The KIMEE was the 1st such agency recognized by the WFME in Asia and the 4th in the world. Its recognition period is 10 years, lasting from 2016 to 2026.
The relationship between the WFME, accrediting agencies, and medical schools. WFME, World Federation for Medical Education.
Since accreditation standards are influenced by the relationship between medical education and the medical delivery system, and have a direct impact on medical education quality, accreditation standards should be clearly established ( Fig. 2 ). As physicians’ movement between countries increased, and the globalization of medicine occurred, interest in international accreditation standards for medical education has grown [ 23 ]. The WFME first published a report on international standards of medical education in 1998 [ 24 ]. In 2005, it released guidelines for basic medical education standards, including medical education curriculum, competency building, and evaluation at the regional and national levels [ 17 ]. The WFME considered the following factors in the process of developing international accreditation standards [ 25 ].
Standards for accreditation in medical education.
Establishing an international accreditation standard can improve the quality of medical education and is necessary for evaluating medical education at the national level. However, international accreditation standards may potentially harm medical schools’ autonomy through strict regulations, make medical schools focus on only the bare minimum requirements, and lead schools to merely adhere to the accreditation standards instead of attempting reforms. As international standards come with both advantages and disadvantages, it is essential to create a reliable tool to ensure medical education quality while balancing these 2 sides [ 23 ]. Furthermore, it is necessary to construct accreditation standards according to national and regional cultural factors, socioeconomic factors, and medical delivery systems [ 13 ].
The accreditation procedure differs depending on the accreditation body, but the process can be generally classified into 3 steps [ 3 , 13 ]. The first step is a self-evaluation, the next step is a site visit, and the final step is an accreditation decision by the accreditation body ( Fig. 3 ). At the self-evaluation step, each medical school analyzes its own situation according to a predetermined accreditation standard. The result of this step is of vital importance because it is the basis of the accreditation process [ 3 , 13 ]. A group of external reviewers then visits the school and checks the content described in the self-evaluation report on site, which is the second step of the site visit. According to the results of the site visit, the accreditation body decides and announces the medical school's accreditation level as the final accreditation step. The specific results may vary depending on the accreditation body, but are generally classified into full, conditional, or no accreditation. The accreditation period is typically between 4 and 10 years.
A typical medical education accreditation process.
However, there have been recent changes in the accreditation process ( Fig. 4 ). In the United Kingdom, the GMC is planning to apply a new quality assurance process starting in 2020 to ensure quality medical education [ 26 ]. The revised procedure includes a 4-year cycle declaration, a 1-year cycle self-assessment, triangulation, gap analysis, quality education, and regulatory assessment. Every 4 years, medical schools must meet the GMC’s standards or declare that they are working towards them. As the declaration entails signing a simple form, the GMC expects this change to lessen medical schools’ burden. However, if a school does not meet the criteria, the school’s declaration may be postponed. The US LCME certification cycle is 8 years. Every 8 years, accreditation is conducted via self-evaluation, visit evaluation, and an accreditation decision. Interim reviews are conducted annually by a questionnaire [ 27 ]. In Korea, the KIMEE grants certification periods of 2, 4, and 6 years according to the accreditation results. The KIMEE’s process consists of self-evaluation, visit evaluation, and an accreditation decision step for each cycle, similar to that in the United States. The interim evaluation consists of submitting an “interim evaluation research report” every 2 years, and visits for evaluation are not conducted.
Quality assurance process of GMC, LCME, and KIMEE. Adopted from General Medical Council. Overview of proposed QA process [Internet]. London: General Medical Council [cited 2020 Oct 19]. Available from: https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/projects/review-of-our-quality-assurance-process/overview-of-proposed-qa-process [ 28 ]. GMC, General Medical Council; LCME, Liaison Committee on Medical Education; KIMEE, Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation.
Accreditation procedures are all composed of an interim evaluation and summative evaluation that determines accreditation, but the accreditation cycle, method, and procedure differ from country to country. In particular, the method of interim evaluation as a formative evaluation varies by country. The LCME and GMC monitor changes in medical schools with a questionnaire that is completed annually by medical schools, provide feedback on problems, and even visit medical schools directly if necessary [ 28 ]. In contrast, the KIMEE’s mid-term evaluation is based on medical schools’ reports regarding the accreditation criteria. There is no visit procedure, so the feedback process needs to be strengthened.
Medical school accreditation is a part of education policy. Education policy is “the basic policy that the state and local governments publicly offer regarding education, which is an intentional and rational choice of the best alternatives for the purpose, means, and methods of education activities, and means to realize the purpose of education. At the same time, it refers to the education system and its operation” [ 29 ]. According to Wirt et al. [ 30 ], values are an essential factor in determining directions of educational policy. All policies, including education policies, go through a series of political processes to seek strategies for realizing specific values. Different values may conflict or complement each other, with some taking priority [ 31 ]. A policy may pursue a single value, but multiple values are usually combined. It is imperative to consider values because the nature and direction of policy may change depending on which value is given more importance [ 31 ]. Wirt et al. [ 30 ] presented 4 values to be pursued in educational policy: quality, efficiency, equity, and freedom of choice. Of note, equity means using public resources to reduce gaps between social classes and to distribute resources equally according to social norms [ 32 ]. Those 4 value concepts can serve as a useful framework for interpreting the educational value of medical school accreditation.
Accreditation can serve as a strong driving force to develop educational programs, including the curriculum. University officials who have experienced accreditation said that the actual necessity to reorganize the curriculum was due to accreditation, and the curriculum was reorganized according to the accreditation criteria [ 2 ]. This means that accreditation criteria are developing in a desirable direction to improve the quality of medical education by serving as useful and reliable tools, which is consistent with the achievement of the goals of accreditation.
However, accreditation may inhibit innovation in medical education. If genuine attempts to innovate education are judged not to meet accreditation standards, medical schools may be reluctant to innovate at all out of fear of undesirable accreditation results [ 2 , 20 ]. Ultimately, medical schools may be less active in providing excellent and innovative educational strategies, and their curricular reforms may be conservative if they aim only to meet accreditation standards. Therefore, it is highly likely that educational excellence, presented as a unique aspect of individual medical schools, will be reduced. This implies that accreditation standards can hinder the creative and innovative development of excellence in medical education [ 33 ]. Therefore, it is necessary to consider how the quality of medical education can be effectively improved while considering equity and excellence in medical school accreditation.
The accreditation process can be a good opportunity for medical schools to restructure the curriculum, establish regulations, and monitor their educational systems [ 2 ]. It can enhance efficiency because accreditation mandates regulations and procedures for managing, supervising, and controlling educational activities. Nonetheless, economic efficiency may deteriorate because the medical school has to spend time and money every cycle as it undergoes accreditation [ 1 ]. If faculty members are required to work harder to meet the newly revised accreditation standards, they may experience “exhaustion of accreditation” [ 2 ]. The following is a complaint from a medical education officer who experienced difficulty communicating with the accreditation body during the accreditation process [ 34 ]:
Efficiency can be improved by revising and formalizing procedures.
The value of choice in medical school accreditation is multi-faceted. From the student’s perspective, accreditation provides information about schools that they may apply to. For physicians, if their medical school meets international accreditation standards, it may broaden their career options [ 33 ]. From a national perspective, accreditation makes it easier to recruit doctors from other countries. However, international standards should not be regarded as promoting the brain-drain.
Nonetheless, the results of accreditation may harm schools’ reputation. Negative results can impact the quality of prospective students, which will eventually lead to a negative impact on university finances [ 2 ]. Accreditation can also potentially limit a medical school’s choices; schools often reform their curricula only based on accreditation standards, rather than making a variety of attempts to try different initiatives. In some countries, including China, there is a national curriculum, limiting each medical school’s choice of curriculum [ 35 ].
Efforts between the accreditation body and medical schools.
Mutual trust must exist between the accreditation body and medical schools to increase the efficiency of the medical school accreditation process [ 3 ]. The necessary components to form an educational alliance between the 2 sides are as follows [ 15 ]:
Medical schools trusting the accreditation body under a credible educational alliance will actively accept feedback from accreditation. A medical school’s attitude toward accreditation is largely influenced by a medical school’s culture and its members who transmit that culture. Therefore, each medical school’s “cultural construct” is an essential factor in determining changes related to accreditation. Culture is “a system of behaviors or lifestyles learned, shared, and transmitted by members of a specific group” and is “not behavior or an accident itself, but a standard or rule that gives meaning to it” [ 36 ].
The case of Yonsei University College of Medicine (YUCM) is an example of favorable feedback from the accreditation process. In the course of the curriculum development project, YUCM used accreditation results proactively. Although YUCM received the best score of the Korea University Education Council’s accreditation in 1996, the school immediately launched a curriculum development process after receiving the accreditation feedback. YUCM was told that the educational goals and objectives should be more concrete and be connected to the educational curriculum [ 37 ]. As a result, the educational objectives and goals were revised; a discipline-based curriculum was transformed into a system-based integrated curriculum. The KIMEE then actively embraced outcome-based and competency-based medical education and revised the accreditation standards. YUCM changed its curriculum into a student-centered, outcome-based, research-oriented integrated curriculum and implemented the first criterion-based pass/non-pass assessment system in Korea [ 38 ]. This change was possible because of “the cultural construct of YUCM placed a strong emphasis on education” [ 39 ].
The case of the Stony Brook University School of Medicine reflects the cultural conviction that the accreditation process requires participation from medical school administrators, leaders of various educational programs, many faculty members, managers of related institutions, and even students and residents [ 40 ]. This conviction encouraged student and faculty participation, allowing them to influence crucial institutional changes and flexibly respond to leadership changes. When preparing for the 2011 visit by the accreditation body, a leadership team was created to prepare even when the dean’s term was over. It was operated according to a 5-step process. As a result, a systematic and successful visit evaluation was possible.
While accreditation standards are the only way to unite the stakeholders of a medical school to understand the educational program’s values and the content of the curriculum [ 41 ], they also pose the risk of negatively impacting the reputation of specific medical schools that fail to meet the standards [ 33 ]. Therefore, constant review and appropriate revision of standards are essential to ensure reliability and validity. As an attempt to change according to new perspectives and reflections, an evaluation rubric can be used. A rubric offers different performance levels depending on how well the standards are met, so it is possible to keep track of universities’ progress according to the standards [ 13 ].
The WFME classifies accreditation standards at 2 different levels as an effort to improve accreditation. The first level corresponds to basic or minimum requirements, while the other level contains standards for improving quality [ 33 ]. The basic standards are expressed as “must,” indicating that all medical schools must meet these standards, while the standards for improving quality use the word “should.” Different standards are applied depending on the stage of a medical school’s development [ 13 ]. The Accreditation Standards of KIMEE 2019 (ASK 2019) are currently divided into basic and high-quality development standards. The current ASK 2019 decision guideline specifies that high-quality development standards are presented in the accreditation standards, but do not affect the accreditation results. These standards will improve the quality of medical education by simultaneously advancing the goals of equity and excellence. To improve the efficiency of medical school accreditation, a system that enables understanding and interpretation of standards to be shared between the accreditation body and the medical schools must be operated on an ongoing basis. The 2 sides should agree on accreditation standards and clear guidelines should be provided to help the medical school understand these standards accurately.
We should not recognize medical school accreditation just as means to receive accreditation once every few years, but as a chance to build a system that can make improvements and advances in medical education. Regular evaluation is required to reach this goal [ 13 ]. Specifically, each medical school should conduct formative self-evaluation activities, which are a valuable way to review and recognize each medical school's unique educational process and philosophy [ 35 ].
For example, the US LCME regularly monitors medical schools through an annual questionnaire [ 40 ]. The annual questionnaire was developed by the American Medical Association and the American Association of Medical Colleges and includes content related to LCME accreditation standards, such as medical school size, number of faculty members, tuition, and finances.
The Council of Deans in the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) decided to mandate an interim review process (IRP) in addition to the 8-year term regular accreditation [ 40 ]. The IRP is an independent form of certification that can be considered as a kind of formative evaluation activity. The AFMC has developed a checklist for each element of the Committee for Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools criteria, and each university conducts its evaluation according to the checklist.
Those intermediate evaluations may be able to minimize the exhaustion of certification. If medical schools share their evaluation experiences and the changes they make after accreditation, it will be possible to adopt the Canadian model. If the Korea Medical Education Association―a joint organization related to medical education―develops a model for formative evaluation that fits the situation in Korea, it may be helpful for the development of medical education in Korea.
Improvements in the quality of medical education require voluntary reflection and criticism by representatives of medical schools, as well as evaluation and feedback from external organizations. This means that accreditation bodies and medical schools are on the same side as an educational alliance, with the common goal of improving the community’s health through high-quality medical education. When changing accreditation standards or processes, we should pursue values that match each medical school’s conditions. There is a need to help local medical schools to consider accreditation as an opportunity to achieve the development of medical education, rather than as an inevitable burden. We propose collaborating with medical schools, academic societies, and the KAMC with the accreditation body’s consent to provide an opportunity for formative evaluation, although it is not yet concrete. Rather than creating a new organization, it is necessary to actively discuss and study programs in which related institutions and universities actively participate as members of the educational alliance. Through these steps, medical schools across the country may be able to jointly develop and share a new culture in which accreditation is a real opportunity for development and change.
Authors’ contributions
Conceptualization: WTJ. Data curation: HJ. Writing–original draft: HJ, SA. Writing–review & editing: HJ, WTJ, SA.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Data availability
Supplement 1. The audio recording of the abstract.
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Medical education in South Korea includes educational activities involved in the education and training of medical doctors in the country, from entry-level training through to continuing education of qualified specialists.
The quality of medical education is assured by the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE). After obtaining a license to practice as a doctor, almost all new doctors start further training to be a medical specialist.
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The accreditation process is both an opportunity and a burden for medical schools in Korea. The line that separates the two is based on how medical schools recognize and utilize the accreditation process. In other words, accreditation is a burden for medical schools if they view the accreditation process as merely a formal procedure or a means ...
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The accreditation process is both an opportunity and a burden for medical schools in Korea. The line that separates the two is based on how medical schools recognize and utilize the accreditation process. In other words, accreditation is a burden for medical schools if they view the accreditation pr …
Korean Journal of Medical Education
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