Case study of social accountability implementation of medical schools: case of 8 medical school in Korea

Medical schools realize their social accountability in cultivating future doctors as decision-makers of medical care in the future society as an axis of society and carrying out communication, research, and medical service (medical care). This study summarized the social accountability status of eight medical schools in Korea, including the characteristics, activities, and programs in the sociocultural context. The data from the self-evaluation research reports of eight medical schools were classified and organized according to education, research, and medical care services. The medical schools offer related subjects, community service activities, and clinical practice, allowing active participation in local health promotion and disease prevention. Community health information research was conducted considering the difference between the local natural environment in which the medical school is located and the frequency of diseases. Medical schools and hospitals collaborated to conduct domestic and foreign health education volunteer activities. Social accountability must be prioritized, considering the importance of medical schools’ functions and roles in a high knowledge-information society. Both doctors’ medical capacity and competence to actively participate in developing medical care and health policies for the community should be strengthened.