New Joint Initiative Launches to Create Common Set of Foundational Competencies

July 26, 2022

The ACGME, Association of American Medical Colleges, and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine are launching an initiative to create a common set of foundational competencies for use in undergraduate medical education programs in the US. This initiative aligns with recommendations outlined in the Undergraduate Medical Education-Graduate Medical Education Review Committee and is part of a comprehensive effort by all three organizations to improve the transition to residency.

The initiative will engage educators, students, residents, faculty members, and the public, beginning with a series of discussion forums from across medical education to collect input for the project team. The sessions will begin with a project overview and ask participants to explore questions related to the evolution of competency-based education in undergraduate medical education, such as:

  • What will we expect all future physicians to be able to do, know and value regardless of their specialty? What will we need to teach and assess to ensure an ideal future workforce?
  • For those working in medical education, what frameworks for competency-based education are currently being used and what does "use" mean at the local school level?
  • What are implications to adopting a common set of competencies across undergraduate medical education that align with graduate medical education?

The first two discussion forums took place in August and two September sessions are available for registration. Visit the AAMC site to register and to sign up to be notified of future discussion forums. Participants are encouraged to check the ACGME weekly e-Communication for registration updates and register early as space is limited. To be added to the e-Communication distribution list, email ACGMECommunications@acgme.org.