Development of family medicine specialist curriculum in Croatia: challenging experiences

The specialization in family medicine (FM) was introduced in the academic year 1960/61, but there was an almost 12-year gap in its implementation. Specialized training (ST) was reintroduced in 2003 through the project "Harmonization of family medicine with EU standards introducing a FM specialization". The aim of this paper is not to present all of the developmental phases of the ST curriculum, but to provide accounts of some of the challenging experiences which might be of help to the readers. Experience in several areas is examined: experience in educational need assessment using focus group method; introduction of a new specialist exam; development of the Study Guide, the Trainee Manual, and the Trainer Manual; selection procedure and training of trainers; and skill-lab training and peer-group learning. Systematic evaluation was planned for the next year, when the current project finishes and is to be replaced by another one. The general impression is that ST in FM is perceived as quite challenging, both for the trainees and for the teachers.