The WFME Recognition Programme evaluates how accrediting agencies or systems - not individual medical schools – meet the WFME Recognition Criteria against which accrediting agencies are evaluated. The criteria are summarised as follows:
- Background (scope of authority, acceptance of the accrediting agency by others, substantive changes)
- Accreditation standards (existence and availability of standards, type of standards, appropriateness of standards, review of standards)
- Accreditation process and procedures (medical school self-study, site visit, reports, qualification & training of individuals associated with the accrediting agency, accreditation decisions, activities subsequent to accreditation decisions, complaints)
- Accreditation agency policies and resources (controls against conflict of interest, controls against inconsistent application of standards and procedures, administrative and fiscal responsibilities, due process, maintenance of records, availability and dissemination of information)
In January 2018, the Recognition Criteria were revised. Accrediting agencies entering the Recognition Programme should now use the revised Criteria. Agencies already in process of assessment may choose either to continue to work with the existing Criteria, and to be assessed against them, or to use the new Criteria.
