Developing a medical school: expansion of medical student capacity in new locations: AMEE Guide No. 55

A concern about an impending shortage of physicians and a worry about the continued maldistribution of physicians to medically underserved areas have encouraged the expansion of medical school training places in many countries, either by the creation of new medical schools or by the creation of regional campuses.

In this Guide, the authors, who have helped create new regional campuses and medical schools in Australia, Canada, UK, USA, and Thailand share their experiences, triumphs, and tribulations, both from the views of the regional campus and from the views of the main Medical School campus. While this Guide is written from the perspective of building new regional campuses of existing medical schools, many of the lessons are applicable to new medical schools in any country of the world. Many countries in all regions of the world are facing rapid expansion of medical training facilities and we hope this Guide provides ideas to all who are contemplating or engaged in expanding medical school training places, no matter where they are.

This Guide comprises four sections: planning; getting going; pitfalls to avoid; and maturing and sustaining beyond the first years. While the context of expanding medical schools may vary in terms of infrastructure, resources, and access to technology, many themes, such as developing local support, recruiting local and academic faculty, building relationships, and managing change and conflict in rapidly changing environments are universal themes facing every medical academic development no matter where it is geographically situated.

The full AMEE Guide, printed separately, in addition contains case examples from the authors' experiences of successes and challenges they have faced.