Medical School Accreditation Committee

Role:

• Addressing policy related to medical schools and primary medical qualifications
• Reviewing standards
• Reviewing procedures
• Setting up assessment teams
• Making recommendations to AMC Directors on accreditation decisions and any related conditions
• Monitoring medical schools against the standards and progress towards meeting outstanding conditions
• Reviewing changes to the way in which medical schools meet the accreditation standards and determining consequential review and monitoring activity

Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine: Reaccreditation

The Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine offers a four-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) program and is concurrently teaching out a four-year graduate-entry Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery program (BMBS).

An AMC team conducted a reaccreditation assessment of the School of Medicine’s programs from 26 February – 2 March 2018.

The Directors at their 20 September 2018 meeting found that the medical programs of the Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine meet the accreditation standards. Directors granted accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery program to 31 March 2021, and granted accreditation of the Doctor of Medicine program to 31 March 2025. Accreditation of both programs is subject to satisfactory progress reports and reports on conditions.

University of Otago, Otago Medical School: Reaccreditation

The University of Otago, Otago Medical School offers a six-year direct-entry Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB).

An AMC team conducted a reaccreditation assessment of the Otago Medical School’s program from 6 – 10 August 2018.

The Directors at their 1 March 2019 meeting found that the medical program of the University of Otago, Otago Medical School met the accreditation standards. Directors granted accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery program to 31 March 2025. Accreditation is subject to satisfactory progress reports and reports on conditions.

Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Medical School: Follow-up assessment

The Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Medical School offers a five-year direct-entry Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). The School was first assessed for accreditation in 2016. Directors reviewed the accreditation report in October 2016, and found that the proposed MBBS program substantially meets the approved accreditation standards. In granting accreditation, the Directors set a requirement for a follow up visit in the first half of 2018 to assess whether the detailed plans for the later stages of the program meet the standards, and progress against conditions.

An AMC team conducted a follow-up assessment of the Curtin Medical School’s program from 14 – 17 May 2018.

The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting found that the medical program of the Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Medical School substantially meets the accreditation standards. Directors confirmed the 2016 accreditation decision that accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery program be granted to 31 March 2023. Accreditation is subject to satisfactory progress reports and reports on conditions, and a follow-up assessment of the preparation for clinical years in 2019.

University of Newcastle/University of New England, Joint Medical Program: Follow-up assessment

The University of Newcastle/University of New England, Joint Medical Program offers a five-year direct entry Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Doctor of Medicine (BMedSc and MD) and is concurrently teaching out a five-year direct-entry Bachelor of Medicine. The Bachelor of Medicine program will conclude in 2021.

The Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Doctor of Medicine was first assessed for accreditation in 2016. Directors reviewed the accreditation report in October 2016, and found that the proposed BMedSc and MD program substantially meets the approved accreditation standards. In granting accreditation, the Directors set a requirement for a follow-up assessment in 2018 to review the implementation of the first two years of the BMedSc and MD program and detailed plans for Years 3 and 4, and progress on conditions.

An AMC team conducted a follow-up assessment of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Doctor of Medicine medical program from 12 – 15 June 2018.

The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting found that the Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Doctor of Medicine meets the accreditation standards. Directors confirmed the 2016 decision that accreditation of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Doctor of Medicine medical program be granted to 31 March 2023. Accreditation is subject to satisfactory progress reports and reports on conditions. AMC Directors agreed to extend the accreditation of the five-year Bachelor of Medicine to 31 March 2023 to further accommodate the teach out.

Griffith University, School of Medicine: Major change assessment

The Griffith University, School of Medicine offers a four-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD). In March 2018, the Medical School Accreditation Committee considered a proposal for delivery of the Griffith medical program at a new site at the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The Committee resolved that this was a major change that would require assessment.

An AMC team conducted a short major change assessment of the School of Medicine on 3 September 2018.

The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting found that the MD program of the Griffith University, School of Medicine meets the accreditation standards and confirmed accreditation of the program to 31 March 2021.

University of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences: Comprehensive report

The University of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD), and in its comprehensive report for accreditation described changes occurring in the program. The University is concurrently teaching out a six-year direct entry, and a four and a half year graduate entry Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) medical program. The MBBS medical programs are due to conclude in 2020.

The Directors at their 1 March 2019 resolved:

1. that the comprehensive report and additional information supplied by the Faculty meet the requirements of a comprehensive report;
2. that the Doctor of Medicine program of the University of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences meets the approved accreditation standards for the cohort graduating in 2019;
3. that the changes to the Doctor of Medicine medical program are of comprehensive impact that requires reaccreditation of the whole program (as per AMC procedures) and invited the Faculty to submit its program for assessment by an AMC team in 2019;
4. that accreditation be extended to 30 June 2020 to allow a reassessment to confirm that subsequent years of the program are consistent with the accreditation standards.