Role of the Medical School in the Accreditation Process

Overview of the Steps in a Full Accreditation Review 

1. Completion of the data collection instrument (DCI), the independent student analysis (ISA), and compilation of other supporting documents. 
2. Analysis of the DCI and other information sources, including the ISA, by an institutional self-study task force and development of the self-study summary report based on this analysis. 
3. Visit by an ad hoc survey team and preparation by the survey team of the survey report for review by the LCME. 
4. Action on full accreditation by the LCME. 

Faculty Accreditation Lead (FAL) 

The Faculty Accreditation Lead (FAL) is a senior faculty member or administrator with extensive knowledge of the medical school and its programs. The FAL oversees the self-study process, coordinating the collection of survey data and materials, and is responsible for synthesizing and editing narrative responses. Additionally, the FAL collaborates with the team secretary to develop the survey visit schedule and serves as the primary liaison between the Secretariat and the survey team secretary. 

Survey Visit Coordinator (SVC) 

The Survey Visit Coordinator (SVC) is a senior staff member tasked with managing the logistical aspects of the survey visit. This includes coordinating hotel reservations, arranging ground transportation, and scheduling meetings with faculty and staff. The SVC also handles administrative functions related to the survey package, such as formatting and submission. 

Self-Study Task Force 

The Self-Study Task Force, led by the FAL, is responsible for preparing the final self-study summary report. This task force should be broadly representative of the medical school’s various constituencies, including: 

• Medical school administrators (academic, fiscal, managerial) 
• Department chairs and heads of sections 
• Faculty members (junior and senior) 
• Medical students 
• Medical school graduates currently in residency at the institution 
• Faculty members or administrators from the sponsoring organization (if applicable) 
• Representatives from clinical affiliates 
• Trustees or regents of the medical school or university 

Independent Student Analysis Task Force (ISA) 

The Independent Student Analysis Task Force (ISA) is comprised of medical students who conduct an independent survey to assess various aspects of the educational program, student services, the learning environment, and other relevant areas. The ISA is responsible for independently collecting and analyzing data from students across all classes and drawing conclusions about the program’s strengths and areas needing improvement. While the administration may assist with logistical support, the ISA operates independently of the administration.