AACOM Joins Coalition for Physician Accountability in Support of Protections for Health Care Workers Battling COVID-19
Published April 13, 2020
2020
Contact:
Paul DeMiglio
Senior Media Specialist
202-306-9777
pdemiglio@aacom.org
The member organizations of the Coalition for Physician Accountability have recently released a statement in support of strengthened efforts that must be in place to safeguard the public, and to protect our nation’s health care workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic so they remain able to meet the public’s needs. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is in strong support of the Coalition's call for adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing for the nation's health care workforce.
Representing the 36 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States, AACOM's member colleges understand the vital importance of our nation's health care workers, and their ability to provide safe and compassionate care. In the 2019-2020 academic year, AACOM's colleges currently educate over 30,000 future physicians—approximately 25 percent of all U.S. medical students. AACOM stands with the Coalition and its commitment to work with governmental agencies and health care delivery systems to safeguard the public, protect our frontline health care workers, and provide our elected leaders with the information they need to support sound, evidence-based decision-making.
“AACOM has been working closely with several of the Coalition members as well as other health professions education organizations to better understand and address issues now faced by medical students, residents, and practicing physicians,” said AACOM President and CEO, Robert A. Cain, DO. “The current public health crisis is an example of a Wicked problem superimposed upon a complex adaptive system (the U.S. health care system). A Wicked problem requires the minds of many interested parties working together to best address it for the good of all. Only through collaborative efforts, like the Coalition’s work, will we be able to assure adequate support for those who are providing needed health care services to patients.”
About AACOM
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) was founded in 1898 to lend support and assistance to the nation's osteopathic medical schools, and to serve as a unifying voice for osteopathic medical education.
Having grown from a handful of college administrators a century ago, the organization today represents the administration, faculty and students of all of the osteopathic medical colleges in the United States. The association, guided by its Board of Deans and various other member councils and committees, is actively involved in all areas of osteopathic medical education.
About the Coalition for Physician Accountability
The Coalition for Physician Accountability is a membership organization designed to advance health care and promote professional accountability by improving the quality, efficiency, and continuity of the education, training, and assessment of physicians. Founded in 2011, current membership consists of senior leadership and governance representatives from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), American Medical Association (AMA), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates|Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (ECFMG®|FAIMER®), Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), NBME, and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). In addition, the Joint Commission and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) serve as liaison members. The Coalition also appoints public members to its membership to ensure adequate representation of the public voice in the deliberations of the Coalition.