The Maoist revolution in China in the late 1940s created legions of health-care workers called "barefoot doctors." The idea was to increase health-care options for millions or rural poor. For decades the Chinese trained various levels of doctors to handle both routine and simple care as well more complex medical issues. The majority of physicians in China received only a few years of training. By the turn of the 21st century, China was working hard to raise its standards of medical education.
Prospective medical students in the United States complete premedical education and then take the Medical College Admission Test. The exam measures their knowledge of biology and physical science, writing and critical thinking. Medical schools base admission on MCAT results. Education for physicians includes two years of classroom and laboratory study, two years in a clinical setting under attending physicians and a three- to seven- year residency at a hospital. The licencing exam is given in three parts over the years of study, after years two, four, and at the end of residency.
In China the National College Entrance Examination is given in June to prospective medical students. It tests knowledge of mathematics, the physical sciences, Chinese languages and English. Applicants are enrolled straight out of high school. There are two types of programs: a three-year certificate program, and a degree-oriented five- and seven-year course of medical study. Two schools offer an eight-year program. The three-year certificate programs produce medical personnel to work in rural villages.
Traditional Chinese medicine is widely practiced in China. Schools that teach it give courses in herbal medicine, therapeutic massage and acupuncture. Students at other Chinese medical schools study traditional medicine for at least two semesters.