Accelerated 3-Year MD Programs in the United States: Key Features, Innovations, Growth, Outcomes, and Lessons Learned

Accelerated 3-year MD (3YMD) programs have experienced rapid growth in the United States since 2010. In 2015, 8 institutions with 3YMD programs formed the Consortium of Accelerated Medical Pathway Programs (CAMPP). As of 2024, CAMPP has 32 member schools with 3YMD programs, and there have been nearly 1,000 graduates from 3YMD programs who have entered residency, many through directed pathways at the same institution where they attended medical school. Compared with traditional 4-year graduates, 3YMD graduates are equally prepared, have less educational debt, and are frequently filling physician workforce shortage and working in underserved communities. This commentary provides an update on the current state of 32 3YMD programs in the United States, highlighting the key features, innovations, growth, outcomes, and lessons learned in the development and implementation of these programs at CAMPP member institutions.