RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the operating status of existing medical education management units in medical colleges and to define the roles of these units to provide basic information to medical schools contemplating to establish similar management units. METHODS: A structured questionnaire survey was conducted via mail. The survey 41 medical colleges across the nation and was done during September 2003 and March 2005. The assessment instrument included six items assessing the organizational structure, composition, major activities, self-satisfaction with performance, administration and financial aspects and the need for further development in the medical education unit for medical colleges with a medical education management unit. There were only two items assessing demand for establishment of a medical education management unit, prerequisite conditions for establishment, the expected role of such a system for medical colleges without a medical education management unit. RESULTS: Of 41 medical colleges, 18 had a medical education management unit as of September 2003 and 32 as of March 2005. The major activities of these 18 management units included curriculum development(26.7%), faculty development(26.7%), support for PBL(16.0%) and OSCE(12.0%). Recently, these units have become involved in enhancing clinical clerkship as well as improving teaching skills. To have a medical education-related unit run smoothly, at least two tenured faculty members majoring in education and medical education were needed. And a compensation systems was required for those professors working in the unit as a second post but without pay. CONCLUSION: This study underscored the importance of professional faculty members, and administrative and financial supports in having a medical education management unit meet its objectives. The role of the dean of medical college seems crucial in deciding how the unit is operated.