The expansion of 8-year medical training programs in China: a status report

Instituted in major medical programs only within the past decade, the advent of an 'expanded' 8-year medical curriculum reflects a major reformation of how physicians are trained in China. Although much remains to be done, including the refinement of associated learning objectives, instructional models, and teaching pedagogies, movement toward a longer, more standardized training framework represents a marked transition for Chinese medical practice. This article highlights the current status and anticipated future of these emerging 8-year medical training programs in modern-day China.