Partnership between a Veterans Affairs medical center and a podiatric medical college

Abstract

The health care academic delivery system is dramatically changing in today's economy. In order to survive, the delivery system must decrease its costs and increase productivity. Integration of academic affiliates and community health care facilities has produced a more efficient health care system and improved medical education. The formation and methodology of the mutual benefits and responsibilities between a health care system and a college of podiatric medicine are examined in detail. Developing unique sharing partnerships can mutually improve medical student experiences, reduce financial burdens, combine joint research projects, and ultimately improve patient care.