New research shows that medical schools prioritize activism over science

Many medical students are now focusing on social justice and diversity rather than anatomy or physiology as they return to class this month.

A study analyzing the curricula of medical schools across the country reveals this shift towards political topics over medical science, which is concerning for policymakers and patients alike.

The study, which examines course catalogs from top-ranking institutions, shows a trend towards teaching more ideological topics over traditional medical education.

The research technique of content analysis was used to compare the frequency of politicized words versus scientific or medical terms in the course catalogs.

Across the analyzed course catalogs, politicized words appeared more frequently than scientific and medical terms.

While some institutions prioritize scientific education, many top medical schools emphasize ideological topics, potentially impacting the quality of future physicians.

Medical schools like Stanford and Baylor are offering courses focusing on social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability rather than core medical topics.

Even courses with traditional medical titles incorporate ideological themes, demonstrating a shift away from scientific education.

The influence of ideological goals in medical education extends beyond highly ranked schools, with competencies issued by medical associations shaping curricula nationwide.

The emphasis on ideology over medical education is expected to increase over time, potentially jeopardizing the quality of future physicians and patient care.

Medical schools like UCLA have faced criticism for introducing divisive politics into their curricula, resulting in lower exam scores for students.

This shift towards ideological topics over medical science raises concerns about the competence of future physicians and the impact on patient care.

Jay P. Greene is a senior fellow at Do No Harm.