(Vienna, 28-08-2023) The Diploma Program in Human Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna has been re-accredited according to international standards without any conditions. The expert opinion of the accreditation procedure, which MedUni Vienna had voluntarily undergone, certifies that the curriculum "provides practical training while integrating social, ethical and emotional aspects, as well as innovations in the field of digital teaching and simulation."
The accreditation procedure was positively completed by the AHPGS (Accreditation Agency in Health and Social Affairs) on the basis of the "European Standard and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG)" and taking into account the "Basic Medical Education WFME Global Standards for Quality Improvement" defined by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) without any conditions.
The Diploma Program in Human Medicine at MedUni Vienna was - after the pilot project accreditation in 2008 (PPA1 and PPA2) - accredited for the first time in 2011 on a voluntary basis and in 2016 already once successfully re-accredited without any conditions.
Anita Rieder, Vice Rector for Teaching at MedUni Vienna, sees the renewed accreditation as confirmation that MedUni Vienna meets the necessary high standards for the education of medical students: "MedUni Vienna's curriculum provides students with a comprehensive understanding of basic medical principles while developing their clinical skills and abilities. We are pleased that, on the basis of the expert opinion, the Accreditation Commission has issued the decision that the study of human medicine at MedUni Vienna meets the highest international quality standards."
Practical training from the first semester
In its final report, the accreditation agency justified its positive decision: "MedUni Vienna students benefit from the practical training from the first semester, the integration of interdisciplinary competence lines and the inclusion of social, ethical and emotional aspects, as well as from the innovations, for example in the field of digital teaching or in simulation models [...]".
In addition, a broad-based quality assurance concept for the areas of teaching, examinations, admission procedures, administration and personnel, as well as clear quality goals and processes and responsibilities that further support MedUni Vienna on its way to the top league of medical schools in accordance with its vision, were also cited as further positive factors.
Measures for the improvement and further development of quality are derived, implemented and followed up in all areas; teachers, students, graduates and stakeholders are involved in the further development of the diploma program accordingly. Social objectives and the area of internationalization are taken up and implemented at various levels. A risk management system is also well established.
There is no legal obligation for public universities to accredit a study program or curriculum; however, corresponding projects can be part of the performance agreement with the responsible federal ministry (BMBWF). In any case, this represents a sign of the Medical University of Vienna's understanding of quality. In line with this approach, the Diploma Program in Dentistry at MedUni Vienna was also successfully accredited for the first time in 2020 (by the German Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute, ACQUIN for short) - without any conditions - (also in accordance with WFME and ESG standards).