Medicine, goodbye to entrance tests: this is how faculty access will work

The number remains limited, but if the entrance tests for access to the faculty of Medicine. This is the latest version of the path to becoming a doctor. The definitive text of the enabling law for the reform was presented by the majority and voted on in the Senate commission. It will take passage in the chamber and the green light for the law for the reform to become active. The government’s hope is that it will come into force in 2025-2026 with the implementing decrees.

How access to Medicine will work

There will be free access to the courses of the first semester which will have teachings common to other courses of the faculty in the “biomedical, healthcare, pharmaceutical and veterinary” area. The courses will be identified by the Ministry of the University. Everyone will be able to access and then, among those who have passed the exams, a national ranking will be drawn up which should have a form of equality between traditional courses and online universities. Those who, from the ranking, fall within the available places will have access to the second semester of Medicine. The others will be able to move on to one of the area faculties, the definitive list of which will be given by the Ministry. The second choice, among the faculties, must be made at the time of enrollment in Medicine and the transition occurs automatically like the recognition of credits. The ranking should be released between December and January.

How many places

From next year, the places for Medicine, ministry sources say, could reach 25 thousand. It remains unclear what will happen to those who, despite having passed the exams, do not fall within the available places. Will they have to retake the exams if they retake the following year? Universities can accept registrations for the first semester for a limited number of places with criteria to be established.

The reactions

These are the words of the minister Bernini: «This day represents a historic step towards guaranteeing all children the opportunity to become professionals in the medical field. The need for future new doctors is 30 thousand professionals, most in the next seven years. To satisfy him, we have already increased the places available for degree courses in medicine, surgery and veterinary medicine. But today we completely review the selection criteria. For the first year we abolish the limited number and entrance tests, but we foresee a filter semester with characterizing exams, the results of which will in any case be recognized for alternative training courses. In this way we not only invest in the right aspirations of our children, but we also guarantee quality preparation through an excellent training offer.”

For the President of FNOMCeO, the Federation of Orders of Surgeons and Dentists, Filippo Anelli«the abolition of the entrance test to Medicine will not remove the scheduled number: this is certainly good news because we need to plan the needs of future doctors». «The numbers circulating at the moment are not consistent with the number of doctors who will retire. Perhaps we should all do more reflection to avoid the medical plethora tomorrow and we should all try to reflect on the value that ten years of training have for a young doctor. In ten years, fewer than 7,000 doctors will retire and today we provide access to medicine for over 20,000 young people: a part of these will probably not have a job.”

Source: Vanity Fair

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