Standard 6.9
“A COM may offer a portion of its curricula at affiliated or educational clinical sites not owned or operated by the COM. Written affiliation or educational agreements with core rotation sites, which clearly define the rights and responsibilities of both parties, must be obtained between the COM and each clinical clerkship teaching facility not owned or operated by the COM, or in the case where an institutional agreement is not applicable, between the COM and the individual preceptor.”
The Heritage College meets this standard, having one of the most extensive networks of clinical education sites in the country, with robust clinical education agreements with institutions in Ohio and beyond. This network includes various types of affiliations, each requiring a different format and content for the formal agreement between the different types of institutions and Heritage College. In 2012, a long-term affiliation agreement covering student rotations was reached with the OhioHealth System which includes both the hospitals and ambulatory care centers owned and operated by OhioHealth; this type of agreement maximizes efficiency for all parties and streamlines the process of setting up rotations for medical and allied health students. A similar agreement has been reached with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
In academic year 2015-2016, the Heritage College maintained written contractual agreements with hospitals providing clinical education. Contractual agreements are in place with four colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs); Des Moines University, AT Still University/Kirksville, Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine and Kansas City University of Medicine and Business for the academic year 2015-2016.
As the clinical campus system evolves due to changes brought about by the single-accreditation system, the college began to review its contracts and agreements in order to form educational partnerships with Ohio hospitals and other institutions which may or may not have GME programs. This change was approved by the CORE board in May 2015 and is reflected in the by-laws.
Affiliation Agreements are entered into with entities such as private practices, non-affiliated hospitals, and non-affiliated COMs. These agreements are usually renewed after three years, however they may be 1 – 5 years or in the rare case “indefinite” (until either party chooses to terminate). Often, facilities are owned by large health care systems therefore; one agreement may cover 2 – 20 (or more facilities). A database of affiliation agreements is kept along with the faculty database on the shared drive.
Military Hospitals usually require MOA (Memorandum of Affiliation), these usually have an indefinite term, but are generally reviewed/renewed at three years. Some Military Hospitals do not provide MOAs but will sign our Educational Agreements.
The Educational Agreement is for one rotation, and generally one student; although there have been exceptions when more than one student is accepted for rotations at the same time and all have been included on one educational agreement.