Transforming orthopedic training: A review of competency-based medical eductaion (CBME)

Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) has emerged as a transformative model for medical training, prioritizing the mastery of specific competencies over the mere completion of prescribed training durations. In the field of orthopaedics, CBME holds significant promise for enhancing clinical competence, refining the educational experience, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. This review critically examines the foundational principles and frameworks underpinning CBME, exploring its application within orthopaedic education. It further discusses the benefits, challenges, and successful case studies associated with CBME adoption.

This umbrella review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed journals, educational reports, and expert opinions on CBME in orthopaedics. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2000-2025) identified relevant studies on CBME principles, frameworks, benefits, challenges, and clinical outcomes in orthopaedics.

Successful CBME implementations in orthopaedics highlight key factors such as early faculty involvement, clear communication of objectives, continuous feedback, standardized assessment tools, and personalized learning pathways. These practices ensure consistent competency evaluation, tailored resident progression, and enhanced clinical training, ultimately improving resident performance and patient outcomes across orthopaedic programs.

The review concludes with strategic recommendations for the integration of CBME into orthopaedic curricula and offers a forward-looking perspective on future research and curricular development in this domain.