Medical school accreditation is renewed every eight years through a process of data collection, self-reflection and occasional course correction known as a "full survey." The LCME secretariat will contact the dean to establish visit dates. A core group of dean-appointed faculty and staff then begin the process by gathering institutional data and engaging key stakeholders from across the institution in a year-long self-assessment process. The self-study team develops a report on institutional strengths, challenges, and areas of potential risk, which will help focus the inquiry of the team that conducts a 3-4 day survey visit. Survey team findings are compiled into a detailed report, which forms the basis of the accreditation decision issued by the LCME.