title: Medical schools in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Small numbers of graduates from few medical schools, and emigration of graduates to other countries, contribute to low physician presence in sub-Saharan Africa. The Sub-Saharan African Medical School Study examined the challenges, innovations, and emerging trends in medical education in the region. We identified 168 medical schools; of the 146 surveyed, 105 (72%) responded. Findings from the study showed that countries are prioritising medical education scale-up as part of health-system strengthening, and we identified many innovations in premedical preparation, team-based education, and creative use of scarce research support. The study also drew attention to ubiquitous faculty shortages in basic and clinical sciences, weak physical infrastructure, and little use of external accreditation. Patterns recorded include the growth of private medical schools, community-based education, and international partnerships, and the benefit of research for faculty development. Ten recommendations provide guidance for efforts to strengthen medical education in sub-Saharan Africa.
authors.affiliation: The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA. fmullan@gwu.edu
authors.forename: Fitzhugh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mullan
authors.forename: Seble
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authors.lastname: Frehywot
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Omaswa
authors.forename: Eric
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authors.lastname: Buch
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: S Ryan
authors.initials: SR
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authors.forename: Travis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wassermann
authors.forename: Diaa ElDin ElGaili
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Abubakr
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Awases
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boelen
authors.forename: Mohenou Jean-Marie Isidore
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Diomande
authors.forename: Delanyo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dovlo
authors.forename: Josefo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.forename: Abraham
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authors.lastname: Haileamlak
authors.forename: Jehu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iputo
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Abdel Karim
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Koumaré
authors.forename: Mwapatsa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mipando
authors.forename: Gottleib Lobe
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Monekosso
authors.forename: Emiola Oluwabunmi
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Olapade-Olaopa
authors.forename: Paschalis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rugarabamu
authors.forename: Nelson K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Sewankambo
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Huda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ayas
authors.forename: Selam Bedada
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Chale
authors.forename: Soeurette
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cyprien
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Tenagne
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haile-Mariam
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamburger
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jolley
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kolars
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kombe
authors.forename: Andre-Jacques
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Neusy
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006076:Government; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017149:Private Sector; D011786:Quality Control; D012106:Research; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000191:economics; D013663:Teaching