What is core? Guidelines for the core curriculum in paediatrics

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• The UK General Medical Council recommended a 'core curriculum' for undergraduate medical education.
• Medical teachers face challenges in defining the scope and importance of core curriculum topics.
• Reducing factual overload in medical education is a key objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the ambiguities and controversies surrounding the definition of a core curriculum.
• To propose principles and guidelines for establishing a core medical curriculum.
• To contribute to the ongoing debate on medical education content.

Main Methods:

• The study describes the principles that guided the approach to defining a core curriculum.
• Guidelines are put forward to assist in curriculum development.
• The authors acknowledge the complexities and do not claim to have resolved all issues.

Main Results:

• The study provides a framework for discussing the definition of a core curriculum.
• It highlights the need for clear criteria to determine topic inclusion and importance.
• The work aims to facilitate a more structured approach to curriculum design.

Conclusions:

• Defining a core curriculum requires careful consideration of topic commonality and relative importance.
• The proposed guidelines offer a starting point for educators grappling with curriculum development.
• Further debate and refinement of principles are necessary for effective medical education.