History of Accreditation of Medical Education Programs

This summary of the history of the process of approving and accrediting medical education programs has been condensed from the "Historical Survey of Major Factors and Events That Have Influenced Medical Education," an appendix to the American Medical Association document, Future Directions in Medical Education,adopted by the House of Delegates on June 15, 1982. (The complete text of the document appeared in the 1982 Education Issue of The Journal, volume 248, No. 24, Dec 24/31, 1982. A bound copy of the document and the complete Historical Survey may be obtained by writing to Council on Medical Education, American Medical Association, 535 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610.) During the 18th century and for several decades into the 19th century, most physicians in this country received their training as apprentices to practicing physicians, despite the fact that the first American medical school was established in 1765 and several more followed