A case study of the implementation of a competency-based curriculum in a Caribbean teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE

Several teaching hospitals are currently modifying their curriculum to comply with the changing demands in medical education. As a result, we decided to evaluate whether a competency-based curriculum implemented in a Caribbean teaching hospital fulfilled the requirements as defined by the CanMEDS framework.

METHODS

We made use of a triangulation method in the survey to obtain information on the educational process. Two separate methods were used consisting of site visits by visiting professors and a medical educator. The focus was on the structure, content and assessments of the educational activities.

RESULTS

Major recommendations included increased involvement of medical specialists in the educational activities in the clinical workplace. There was need for improvement of communication between medical specialists, patients, nurses, trainees and residents. Overall, improvements were observed in the structure of clinical rotations and content of the training programme.

CONCLUSION

The implemented assessment programme provided necessary information for effective evaluation of the competency-based curriculum. We were able to identify new and feasible methods for improving the curriculum in our educational setting.