What makes a medical school socially accountable in Latin America? A report from a Latin American panel based on a qualitative approach.

BACKGROUND: Latin America is a region with huge health inequalities and a tremendous growth in the number of medical schools during the last decades. The role of the medical schools in reducing health inequality has not been systematically explored.

METHODS: A qualitative framework method was used to explore the meaning, barriers, and facilitators of the concept of the social accountability of medical schools in Latin America. Twenty nine Latin American academic leaders from seven countries participated in an expert panel discussion. The Atlas ti.7 software was used to analyze the information.

RESULTS: Social accountability was identified as a core dimension of the mission of medical schools. The panel identified a gradient of three dimensions associated with social accountability. First, a formative dimension related to student selection, curricular structure and community based learning initiatives. Second, a societal dimension associated with institutional mission, community partnerships, and social research projects. Third, a political dimension related with involvement in health policies and primary care engagement. Lack of accreditation standards was identified as a main barrier to improve social accountability.

CONCLUSIONS: Latin American leaders consider that medical schools should develop specific formative, societal, and political initiatives in order to be socially accountable.