What is LCME accreditation?
LCME accreditation is a process during which our medical school engages in a self-study of ongoing strengths and challenges as it relates to LCME standards then creates plans and engages in activities to address identified areas of concern. The product of our self-study is evaluated by external reviewers during a survey visit, and a recommendation is made about our accreditation status. An independent LCME committee will review our submission materials, the survey visit report and recommendations prior to determining our accreditation status and any necessary follow-up.
Why is LCME accreditation important?
LCME accreditation is a process that promotes continual reflection on how our medical school is performing according to our stakeholders (including students, faculty, administration, and health system leaders) and relative to our peers. Without it, our medical students would not be eligible for USMLE or to attend ACGME-accredited residency programs.
What are the LCME Standards?
Seeking LCME re-accreditation is a detailed process of institutional self-review to identify areas of strength and challenges to be addressed, and requires a great deal of input from students, faculty, and staff. It is peer-reviewed by faculty and students at other schools and members of the general public who have been assembled and trained by the LCME to determine whether our medical education program meets established standards.
Institutional Setting
Standard 1: Mission, Planning, Organization and Integrity
Standard 2: Leadership and Administration
Faculty
Standard 3: Academic and Learning Environments
Standard 4: Faculty Preparation, Productivity, Participation and Policies
Standard 9: Teaching, Supervision, Assessment and Student & Patient Safety
Medical Students
Standard 3: Academic and Learning Environments
Standard 10: Medical Student Selection, Assignment and Progress
Standard 11: Medical Students Academic Supports, Career Advising and Educational Records
Standard 12: Medical Student Health Services, Personal Counseling and Financial Aid Services
Educational Resources
Standard 3: Academic and Learning Environments
Standard 5: Educational Resources and Infrastructure
Educational Program
Standard 6: Competencies, Curricular Objectives and Curricular Design
Standard 7: Curricular Content
Standard 8: Curricular Management, Evaluation and Enhancement
What steps are involved in reaccreditation?
- Survey site visit
- Three key data submission components that form our survey package will be collected, reviewed, and analyzed
- Survey package submitted to LCME
- On-site survey visit
- Notification of our accreditation status
What data does the school submit to the LCME?
We prepare three critical components for the survey team to review: the Data Collection Instrument (DCI), which evaluates our performance within the LCME’s 12 standards; the Independent Student Analysis (ISA), in which a group of current medical students surveys their peers and compiles a report focused on questions around LCME standards; and the Self-Study, in which an appointed task force evaluates the DCI and ISA to determine strengths and challenges related to accreditation elements, and outline plans and activities to improve our medical school.
How often does the LCME accreditation process take place?
Established medical education programs typically undergo the self-study process and a full survey visit every eight years. The LCME may request a full survey visit in less than eight years if there are questions around sustainability or quality of the medical education program.
When was UAB’s last LCME visit?
The Heersink School of Medicine’s last site visit was April 10-13, 2022.
When is UAB’s next LCME site visit?
The Heersink School of Medicine’s next LCME site visit will occur in 2030.