Thinkings on the reform of medical education system in China

• Published in: Medical education online Vol. 29; no. 1
• Main Authors: Tie, Hongtao, Luo, Yuxiang, Chen, Dan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 31.12.2024; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: clinical training; Medical education; medical practitioners; medical reformation; postgraduate education; Review
• ISSN: 1087-2981; 1087-2981
• DOI: 10.1080/10872981.2024.2302677

Different clinical medicine programs exist in China, which are mainly the 3-year junior college medical program, the 5-year medical bachelor’s degree program, the 5 + 3 medical master’s degree program, and the 8-year medical doctoral degree program. Medical graduates obtain different degrees from various medical programs, leading to inequality and polarization of the cultivation. The extended length of schooling discourages talented students from pursuing clinical medicine. The current situation has worsened due to the mismatch between clinical competence and promotion, as well as insufficient remuneration. The most critical reform measure is to establish separate degree systems for scientific research skill training and clinical training, which helps clarify the boundaries between these two. Students who receive academic postgraduate education obtain academic degrees, such as the master of medical science and doctor of philosophy; students who take part in the national standardized resident training, specialist training, or general practitioner training obtain professional degrees, such as master of medicine and doctor of medicine. It is imperative to consider shortening the duration of medical education, with an ideal limit of eight years on average. Optimizing the way to promotion and raising the expenditure of remuneration are also crucial. The reform of medical education system in China still has a long way to go and requires gradual adjustment and optimization.