Academic Primer Series: Key Papers About Competency-Based Medical Education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) represents a significant shift in medical training globally.
• Many faculty members lack foundational knowledge and experience with CBME principles and literature.
• This study addresses the need for accessible resources to support faculty in understanding and implementing CBME.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and summarize key foundational and explanatory papers on CBME.
• To provide faculty members, particularly junior faculty, with essential literature for CBME implementation.
• To support faculty development in the context of evolving medical education paradigms.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi study methodology was employed to select key papers.
• An initial list was generated from online discussions and expert/public suggestions.
• A mixed-methods approach involving junior and senior faculty determined the most impactful papers through a three-round voting process.

Main Results:

• Five highly-rated papers on CBME were identified and summarized.
• Key themes covered include core CBME definitions, curriculum design principles, historical development, and accreditation rationale.
• The findings are discussed in relation to their application for junior faculty and faculty developers.

Conclusions:

• Five essential CBME papers were identified to aid faculty development.
• These selected papers provide a crucial foundation for faculty engaging with CBME.
• The resources aim to facilitate the successful implementation of CBME programs in medical education settings.