FAQ

GMDC Accreditation is a review process and status of quality within higher educational medical institutions and programmes in Grenada. It evaluates and ascertains the presence and level of quality within a medical educational institution or programme, through a comprehensive review process. To evaluate this quality, GMDC focuses on the institutional settings, curriculum, students, academic environment, faculty and institutional effectiveness. This quality control process occurs every 5-8 years.

Being GMDC accredited means that a higher educational institution and programme in Grenada has been assessed and evaluated by GMDC, who validated their credibility against pre-established standards.

GMDC Accreditation assures the public, applicants, students, employers, government agencies, regulatory bodies and professional groups that a medical educational program meets accepted standards of quality. It encourages programmes to bolster their internal quality assurance mechanisms and to review their own operations for continuous improvement. As per the Health Practitioners Act 2010 and the 2019 Amendment Act, a medical doctor degree programme must be accredited by GMDC in order to legally operate in the State of Grenada.

Accreditation standards are the criteria GMDC uses to assess critical aspects of acceptable quality of medical educational programmes.

GMDC has established six accreditation themes: Theme 1: Institutional Setting; Theme 2: Curriculum; Theme 3: Students; Theme 4: Academic Environment; Theme 5: Faculty; and Theme 6: Institutional Effectiveness.

The Health Practitioners Act, enacted in 2010, established GMDC as the entity responsible to oversee educational institutions with respect to the education of persons in the practice of the medical or dental profession. The Health Practitioners (Amendment) Act of 2019 formally gave GMDC authority to review and accredit medical doctor degree programmes in Grenada, taking effect on December 5, 2019.

GMDC reviews and accredits medical schools/education institutions and programmes operating in Grenada. Currently, St. George University School of Medicine (SGUSOM) is the only institution accredited by GMDC.

No, presently GMDC has the mandate to accredit only medical doctor degree programmes in Grenada.

No, the Health Practitioners (Amendment) Act of 2019 formally gives GMDC authority to solely review and accredit medical doctor degree programmes in Grenada.

A school applying for initial accreditation will be granted an accreditation period of five (5) years and eight (8) years every subsequent full review. In the event of extenuating circumstances, such as a natural disaster or a pandemic, the accreditation period may be extended for up to two (2) years.

The amount of time depends largely on how long the medical school takes to submit application and other related documents requested by GMDC. On average, schools take about three years to earn GMDC Accreditation.

GMDC is recognised by the Government of Grenada, the U.S. Department of Education through the NCFMEA, and the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) as the authority for the accreditation of medical education programs leading to a medical doctor degree.

WFME recognition means that GMDC standards are at an internationally accepted level and the quality of GMDC accreditation process of medical schools is at an appropriate level. WFME recognition also means that physicians graduating from a GMDC-accredited medical school can practice medicine in the US.

Yes, WFME recognition of GMDC means that physicians graduating from a GMDC-accredited medical school can practice medicine in the US and Canada.

1) Apply for and obtain authorisation from the Government of Grenada, then apply for candidacy from GMDC. 2) Submit a written request to GMDC Executive Director. 3) Submit documentation demonstrating continuous enrollment for 10+ years and prior accreditation for at least 5 years. 4) Submit an institutional self-study. 5) Submit a complete data collection instrument (DCI). 6) Cooperate with GMDC site visitors for on-site and/or virtual evaluation visits.

Yes, GMDC has met the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) accreditation eligibility requirements by having WFME recognition status. Therefore, graduates from GMDC-accredited medical schools can write the USMLE.

Yes, GMDC is recognised by WFME. Hence, graduates from GMDC accredited medical programmes are eligible for residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

A complaint can be filed via the GMDC website. You are required to provide a written statement outlining your concerns and how those concerns indicate possible noncompliance with GMDC Accreditation Standards. Describe how you have attempted to resolve the matter using the medical school stated complaint or grievance procedures, and provide your name and contact details.