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Curriculum development in anesthesia: basic theoretical principles.
1Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. wongan@mcmaster.ca
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia = Journal Canadien D'Anesthesie
|September 9, 2006
Summary
This review outlines key principles for effective anesthesia curriculum development, emphasizing stakeholder needs, educational theories, and continuous evaluation for responsive medical education.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Curriculum Development
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Educational theories are crucial for coherent medical curriculum development.
- Evidence-based medicine guides medical treatment, similar to how theory guides curriculum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide organizational, theoretical, and educational principles for anesthesia curriculum development or modification.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of general education, cognitive psychology, and medical education (1996-2006).
- Incorporation of experience from renewing the anesthesia clerkship curriculum at McMaster University.
Main Results:
- Successful curriculum development requires considering stakeholder needs, organizational factors, funding, and sustainability.
- Curriculum design involves setting goals, organizing content, choosing instructional methods, and assessing learners.
- Evaluation assesses curriculum merit and worth, feeding back into development for improvements.
Conclusions:
- The dynamic medical field necessitates responsive and effective curricula.
- Advocates for a rational, theory-based approach to anesthesia curriculum development.
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