Core competencies in hospital medicine: development and methodology

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• The hospitalist model of inpatient care has rapidly expanded, increasing the need to define and characterize hospital medicine.
• Developing specific training curricula is crucial for the field's evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a framework for developing hospital medicine curricula.
• To define the core competencies expected of hospitalists.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a task force and editorial board.
• Development of a topic list and chapter writing.
• Multiple internal and external review processes.

Main Results:

• The Core Competencies in Hospital Medicine document was created.
• It is divided into Clinical Conditions, Procedures, and Healthcare Systems.
• Chapters detail core knowledge, skills, and attitudes for inpatient practice.

Conclusions:

• The competencies provide a common reference for creating hospital medicine curricula.
• They aim to standardize and enhance inpatient training practices.
• This framework supports care coordination and optimization within healthcare systems.