Medical Education In The US: Promotion Individuals Health In The Country (Essay Sample)

Medical Education in the US
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Medical Education in the US
In the contemporary American society, medical education in the US has emerged to be one of the most prestigious and lucrative ventures. Doctors and physicians have become adored and respected in the society due to their significant role in the promotion and maintenance of individuals’ health in the country. It is fundamental to note that medical education in the US was one of the worst during the early periods. Surpassed by European countries, such as Germany and France, American doctors exerted little influence in the medical field during the 19th century (Cockerham, 2016). However, their gradual acquisition of the medical knowledge from the advanced schools in Europe led to the American doctors emerging among the best. In addition, recommendations by Abraham Flexner played a significant role in changing the US medical education for the good of the society. Therefore, Flexner’s report led to the establishment of stronger and stringent rules to govern the health profession, thus, resulting in the improved qualities of medical education in the US.
Flexner’s recommendations were aimed at achieving two fundamental goals. The report desired to attain a prolonged training for medical professionals in order to meet the standards of specialization. Besides, the doctors were expected to engage in providing quality services after the gaining sufficient training. As a result, these processes could lead to the professionalization of medical education. In order to attain the desired changes, Flexner, in his report, suggested fundamental modifications in the US medical education. Although these changes were detrimental to the less established medical schools in the country, they produced significant improvements in the US medical field in terms of quality.
In essence, recommendations found in the Flexner report produced critical changes that are evident in the contemporary medical field. For instance, the report recommended all medical schools to have a full-time faculty and provide essential training equipment, such as laboratories and hospital facilities. On the other hand, Flexner recommended that the qualifications and requirements to be to be established and raised in the admission of medical students in the United States. As a result, Flexner gave examples of established medical schools, such as Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Western Reserve as the ideal ones in the country (Cockerham, 2016). He termed the rest as inappropriate in offering medical education ad their elimination could elevate the standards and quality of medical educ...