Independent medical school is long overdue
http://www.100md.com
《英国医生杂志》
EDITOR—The concept of the United Kingdom's first independent medical school at the University of Buckingham has created great excitement.1 We believe that the time is right for this development and that it mirrors changes in healthcare delivery, education, and society. The news article by Cohen and Fister focused on two quotations that neither address the real issues nor further the debate on future education.
Buckingham is Britain's only independent, not for profit, university, with successful courses in business, finance, education, and law. More doctors are urgently needed globally. Can we achieve this without burdening the taxpayer? We believe we can, and increase the diversity among tomorrow's doctors at the same time.
The commentary highlights two issues: cost and speed. The cost to the student is little greater than that already charged to overseas students as the fast tracking keeps the total cost low. With continuing increases in fees for home students, the financial difference will reduce. We will provide bursaries and loans. We are looking for the most able and motivated and nothing else.
The course will entail as many hours' study as the conventional graduate course. The first year will consist of an innovative distance learning package with residential blocks, followed by three full time years. Professors Janet Grant and Michael Stewart from the Open University are members of this board and are experts in this area. We have already been in constructive discussion with the General Medical Council to meet its rigorous standards.
We need a new approach to encourage entry into medicine of socially aware, successful people with a diverse range of experience. An independent university is the ideal crucible for this.
Helen Nellis, chair
University of Buckingham Medical School Development Board, Buckingham MK18 1EG
Karol Sikora, dean elect
karolsikora@hotmail.com University of Buckingham Medical School Development Board, Buckingham MK18 1EG
Competing interests: Both authors are members of the University of Buckingham Development Board.
References
Cohen D, Fister K. Rejecting political correctness. BMJ 2005;330: 62. (8 January.)
Buckingham is Britain's only independent, not for profit, university, with successful courses in business, finance, education, and law. More doctors are urgently needed globally. Can we achieve this without burdening the taxpayer? We believe we can, and increase the diversity among tomorrow's doctors at the same time.
The commentary highlights two issues: cost and speed. The cost to the student is little greater than that already charged to overseas students as the fast tracking keeps the total cost low. With continuing increases in fees for home students, the financial difference will reduce. We will provide bursaries and loans. We are looking for the most able and motivated and nothing else.
The course will entail as many hours' study as the conventional graduate course. The first year will consist of an innovative distance learning package with residential blocks, followed by three full time years. Professors Janet Grant and Michael Stewart from the Open University are members of this board and are experts in this area. We have already been in constructive discussion with the General Medical Council to meet its rigorous standards.
We need a new approach to encourage entry into medicine of socially aware, successful people with a diverse range of experience. An independent university is the ideal crucible for this.
Helen Nellis, chair
University of Buckingham Medical School Development Board, Buckingham MK18 1EG
Karol Sikora, dean elect
karolsikora@hotmail.com University of Buckingham Medical School Development Board, Buckingham MK18 1EG
Competing interests: Both authors are members of the University of Buckingham Development Board.
References
Cohen D, Fister K. Rejecting political correctness. BMJ 2005;330: 62. (8 January.)