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The American College: A Criticism By Abraham Flexner

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In 1908 Abraham Flexner penned his first book, The American College: A Criticism, an overall critique of Harvard. Flexner believed the standard model of education was flawed especially that of higher education institutes and their proclivity to use lectures as a main method of teaching. He was also opposed to the disorganized curriculum and the over-influence of research that failed to address the integral of a person.
Flexner’s first book caught the attention of the Carnegie Foundation’s president, Henry Pritchett who picked Flexner to lead a study of American medical education. Though Flexner was not educated in the field of medicine he joined the Carnegie Foundation in 1908 due to his writing abilities and his aversion to conventional education. …show more content…

His report examined medical education and led to a complete reform in how physicians were trained. Flexner’s report also led to the closure of nearly all rural medical schools and the firing of many senior faculty members as a response to reform medical education.
In 1912 Flexner ran a related study on medical education in Europe where his work was almost as well-known as it was in America. During this time, he also served on the Rockefeller Foundation’s General Education Board for over 13 years.
Abraham Flexner’s contributions to medical education continue to impact the medical field today. The Flexner Report increased the average quality of educated physicians, made medicine a well-respected profession, and created guide-lines and standards subject to state regulations to name a few. He also co-founded The Institute for Advanced Study which continues to research humanity and the complexities of the physical

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