Learning by doing and creation of the shared discovery curriculum.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Curriculum Development
• Learning Theory

Background:

• Michigan State College of Human Medicine (CHM) originated as an experimental program.
• The goal was to train medical students in community settings and bolster the state's primary care workforce.
• CHM implemented the Share Discovery Curriculum in response to evolving challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the development and implementation of a new medical curriculum.
• To provide an exemplar for other medical schools undergoing curricular reform.
• To highlight key principles and components of the Share Discovery Curriculum.

Main Methods:

• A curricular design group (CDG) established guiding principles for reform.
• Pedagogies and structures were selected and developed into a new curricular framework.
• Initial components of the first-year curriculum underwent piloting with students and faculty.

Main Results:

• Six guiding principles, rooted in learning theories like Dewey's 'Learning by Doing,' were adopted.
• Key features include learning communities, individualized coaching, symptom-based learning, and simulation.
• The curriculum integrates early clinical and scientific learning, uses milestones, and employs competency-based assessment.

Conclusions:

• The described process serves as a model for medical school curricular change.
• Successful reform requires early stakeholder involvement, faculty support, and robust administrative systems.
• Effective management of complexity is crucial for implementing significant curricular innovations.