MD Urgent: Take Action Now on LCME Proposal

[healthcarestories]

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LCME is proposing changes to standard 7 that would remove structural competency requirements from medical school curricula.

What's Being Changed:

• Removal of "Structural Competency": The LCME is proposing to remove a requirement for students to learn about "structural competency." This basically means they want to stop requiring students to understand how broad social and economic factors (like housing, income, and systemic discrimination) affect a patient's health.
• Watering Down Requirements: The proposed changes would replace more comprehensive requirements with a simple statement that students should show professionalism when caring for patients from different backgrounds. This is less effective than requiring students to demonstrate specific knowledge and skills for providing equitable care.
• No Longer Addressing Bias: The new proposal would no longer require students to learn how to recognize and address bias in themselves, others, and the healthcare system. This is a crucial skill for providing fair and effective care to all patients.

If this issue is important to you, please fill out this form by January 7th. Answers to the questions on the form have been drafted by a colleague of mine and are a available here. Feel free to copy and paste!