University of Iowa Health announced Tuesday that the healthcare system will make a $100 million investment over the next five years for research, according to an Iowa City Press-Citizen report.
Here are five key notes:
1. Jean Robillard, head of University of Iowa Health Care, said the investment was necessary to counteract dwindling federal and state research dollars, according to the report.
2. Mr. Robillard also said that UI Health Care's strong financial base enabled them to continue receiving a AA bond rating.
3. The added research funds will be used to leverage additional research money from the National Institutes of Health, and to attract new faculty and researchers, according to the report.
4. Mr. Robillard noted the healthcare system needs to do more to address the high cost of medical education and called on the UI College of Medicine to develop more fast-track options through which students could earn their MD in three years.
5. Debra Schwinn, dean of the college, said that the nation will hit a point where there will not be enough residency slots for all medical school graduates unless something is done over the next four years.
"Can we imagine moving from a time-based curriculum to a competency-based curriculum with more flexible, individualized learning plans?" Mr. Robillard said to Iowa City Press-Citizen. "There is no question that shortening the duration of medical school will positively impact physician shortage concerns and medical school indebtedness without any negative impact on patient outcomes or patient safety."
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