Competency-based curriculum development in medical education. An introduction

Since the topic of this book is curriculum development for the health professions, a difficulty is created not only by the strong feelings associated with educational traditions, but also by the very different needs, opportunities, and resources among WHO members. The authors have attempted to deal with this problem by emphasizing the process of curriculum construction rather than its content. While they are persuaded that the most significant health problems for whose solution young professionals must be prepared are those relating to communities and the preservation of health, rather than to individuals and the cure of disease, nevertheless they do not suggest that these are the only competencies toward which medical education should be aimed. The subjects discussed include: curriculum models, identifying the elements of competence, learning for mastery, assessment of competence, and preparations of teachers, students and institutions.