Tracking the World's Medical Schools

International Medical Education Directory

The International Medical Education Directory (IMED) is a web-based resource on the world’s medical schools that is freely available on the FAIMER website. The information available through IMED is derived from the extensive body of current and historical data developed by ECFMG throughout its history of evaluating the medical education credentials of international medical graduates. Using these data as a starting point, FAIMER began developing IMED in 2001 and introduced it in April 2002. Enhancements during 2002 have increased the number of schools listed and the types of information available. The result is an outstanding resource for individuals and organizations concerned with medical education and health care.

The schools listed in IMED are those that are recognized by the government agencies in the countries where the medical schools are located. The agency responsible for this recognition in most countries is the Ministry of Health. The information listed for each medical school is provided by the appropriate government agency and by officials of the medical school. FAIMER updates IMED continuously as new information is received from these agencies concerning their recognition of medical schools, and from the officials of the listed medical schools.

The response to IMED has been extremely positive. It has been cited in prominent print publications and on Internet news sites. The Medical Council of Canada now requires an applicant’s international medical school to be listed in either the World Directory of Medical Schools, published by the World Health Organization, or in IMED. Effective April 2002, ECFMG medical education credential policy requires that, to be eligible for examination and for ECFMG certification, an applicant’s medical school and year of graduation be listed in IMED. (More information on ECFMG and its program of certification is available in the ECFMG Information Booklet, ECFMG Annual Report, and on the ECFMG website.)

IMED’s web-based format allows updated information to be incorporated as it is received, and maintenance of the medical school data will be an important, ongoing task. Moving forward, FAIMER also seeks to expand the scope and depth of the information available in IMED’s medical school listings.

FAIMER is pleased to offer this important resource and encourages users to send questions or comments concerning IMED to:

International Medical Education Directory (IMED)
c/o FAIMER
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685
USA
E-mail: imed@faimer.org
Fax: 215.386.9767

Introducing IMED

Since IMED became available in April, FAIMER has communicated with members of the international medical community about this new resource. In April and November, FAIMER corresponded with members of the international medical education and licensing communities, introducing IMED and encouraging medical school and licensing officials to provide FAIMER with regular updates to IMED’s medical school listings. In September 2002, William C. Kelly, Manager, ECFMG Medical Education Credentials and Mail/Records Services, discussed IMED during the Administrators in Medicine (AIM) Annual Physician Licensing Workshop, held in Columbus, Ohio.

FAIMER is not an accrediting agency. The medical schools listed in IMED are those that are recognized by the appropriate government agencies in the countries where the schools are located. The medical schools listed for a given country, and the information available for each school listed, are provided by these agencies. Listing of a medical school in IMED does not denote recognition, accreditation, or endorsement by FAIMER.

Search IMED at www.faimer.org

Below: Medical schools in each country are listed alphabetically, by the name of the medical school.