What does WFME recognition to NMC mean? Here are the FAQs

New Delhi- India is all set to become a global hub for quality medical education and standard healthcare practices. International students will look for admission opportunities in India to learn from the benchmark educational institutions of the country. In contrast, Indian students will benefit from establishing new medical institutes as per the standard set by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

On this, the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) organisation has been poised to enhance the quality of medical education worldwide. Through a recent notice, NMC has issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the WFME.

Now, as per NMC notice, the questions which are frequently asked are-

1. What does WFME stand for?

WFME stands for World Federation for Medical Education.

2. What is the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) accreditation?

The World Federation for Medical Education is a coveted international organisation that is dedicated to ensuring the quality of medical education across the globe. World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is a non-governmental organisation concerned with the education and training of medical doctors worldwide. WFME's main objective is to "enhance the quality of medical education worldwide, with the promotion of the highest scientific and ethical standards in medical education". The organisation develops standards for medical education and promotes accreditation of medical schools. The WFME Recognition Program evaluates agencies against internationally accepted criteria for accreditation.

3. Does the WFME accredit medical schools?

No, WFME does not supply an accreditation process for medical schools. The WFME Recognition agenda grants Recognition Status to individual accrediting agencies normally operating within a specific country that have been evaluated as meeting WFME recognition criteria.

4. What is the purpose of the WFME Recognition Program?

The purpose of the WFME Recognition Program is to provide a transparent and rigorous method of ensuring that accreditation of medical schools, worldwide, is at an internationally accepted and high standard. WFME assures the standard of accreditation of medical schools, by evaluating accreditation agencies. It provides a system to review and recognise existing accreditation systems based on a transparent process and with public announcement of the results of the assessments.

5. What type of accrediting agencies are eligible for WFME recognition?

The following types of agencies are eligible to apply for WFME recognition:

a. A government or inter-governmental entity.

b. An independent professional body that is authorised or recognised by the relevant national or state/provincial government (Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education or both), or the legislator (parliament).

c. An independent professional body that is authorised or recognised by a professional or scientific association with appropriate authority.

6. NMC has been accredited by WFME, does it imply that all students passing out from medical colleges recognised by NMC can practice in any country of the world accredited by WFME?

No. To practice in any other country one has to be compliant with the registration requirements of that country.

7. What are the specific benefits to Indian medical students because of NMC getting WFME accreditation?

As per new norms, from 2024 onwards, individuals applying for ECFMG (Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certification and USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) must be a graduate of a medical school that is officially recognised by an agency accredited by WFME. Consequent to the accreditation of NMC by WFME, all medical students from medical colleges recognised by NMC will become eligible to apply for ECFMG certification and USMLE.

8. What are USMLE and ECFMG?

USMLE: USMLE is the acronym for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This test is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). The USMLE is a three-step examination that you must take if your goal is to earn a license to practice medicine in the USA.

ECFMG: According to the US Department of Education, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates is "the authorised credential evaluation and guidance agency for non-U.S. physicians and graduates of non-U.S. medical schools who seek to practice in the United States or apply for a U.S. medical residency program. To be eligible for ECFMG certification following requirements should be met: Completion of medical graduation from a medical school recognised by a WFME-accredited body. Successful completion of USMLE step one and step two. ECFMG pathways as applicable and provided on ECFMG's official website.

9. As a medical college/institute, whether my college be inspected by a team of WFME? If yes, will it be a surprise inspection or an informed inspection?

No, only during the WFME site visit some of the medical colleges may be visited by WFME with prior notice. The visit will be informed.

10. What shall be the additional obligations of the medical college for the WFME site visit?

There are no additional obligations of medical colleges during the WFME site visit. The medical colleges are required to remain compliant with NMC minimum standard requirements, NMC curriculum and various notifications issued by NMC from time to time. Any additional requirements to be fulfilled by the medical colleges as stipulated by WFME shall be intimated to the concerned medical college in advance.

11. Will WFME accreditation, impact the curriculum/teaching methods of my college/institute? If yes, what would be the changes?

The medical colleges are required to follow the NMC’s CBME curriculum which has been endorsed by WFME. There is a provision in the NMC curriculum to cater to local and regional requirements.

To read the official notice, click the link below: