Mark D. Hiatt MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Christopher Gray Stockton, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Given the importance of accreditation of radiology residency programs, it would be valuable to understand the historical context for evaluating institutions that train physicians. In particular, our purpose was to quantify the influence of Abraham Flexner in terms of medical school closings and mergers attributable to his pioneering 1910 Report.

We searched the online English language literature using Yahoo!'s Google search engine to identify comments regarding the impact of the Report on school closings and mergers. Three hundred seventy-eight sites were thus identified, all of which were reviewed.

Twelve (7 percent) of the 168 schools Flexner evaluated closed or merged because of the Report. The closings and mergers of another 26 schools (15 percent) were not credited by any comment to Flexner, but occurred in the two decades following the Report for reasons that may have been related to the Report. The impact of Flexner's work on another 33 schools (20 percent) is unclear. Finally, 97 (58 percent) did not close or merge because of the Report.

At least 12 (7 percent) of the 168 North American medical schools may have closed or merged after 1909 because of a bad grade from Flexner. The actual number of schools affected in this way is probably higher, perhaps 38 (22 percent), but could not be definitely determined.

Hiatt, M, Stockton, C, The Impact of the Flexner Report on the Fate of Medical Schools in North America after 1909.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4415855.html