Cross-referencing the Scottish Doctor and Tomorrow's Doctors learning outcome frameworks

Abstract

Learning outcomes, organised into systems or frameworks which describe and define the output of an educational programme, are being created and used in healthcare education with increasing frequency (Harden , 2002). Medical schools may be required to conform to more than one such outcome framework. For example, both the UK General Medical Council (GMC) and the Scottish Deans’ Medical Curriculum Group (SDMCG) have created and published a systematic learning outcome framework for medical graduates. Although both of these publications are concerned with undergraduate medical education, they differ in their aims, and structure. In order to use, evaluate and validate them, a cross-referencing system which relates each learning outcome statement, term or groups of terms is required.

 This paper describes the cross-referencing exercise undertaken by the SDMCG, the philosophy behind it, the practical steps taken, the findings, the lessons learnt and reflections upon how this work may be taken forward. It will be of interest to all those who are involved in curriculum development using outcomes, and especially those who use the GMC's Tomorrow's Doctors or the SDMCG's Scottish Doctor frameworks and those who are interested in education informatics in general.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel Ellaway

RACHEL ELLAWAY is the e-Learning Manager for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and provides informatics support to the SDMCG.

Phillip Evans

PHILLIP EVANS is the Curriculum Development Officer for the Medical Teaching Organisation at the University of Edinburgh and is Project Co-ordinator for the SDMCG.

Jim Mckillop

JIM MCKILLOP is Muirhead Professor of Medicine, Associate Dean for Medical Education at the University of Glasgow and is the current Convener of the SDMCG.

Helen Cameron

HELEN CAMERON is the Director of the Medical Teaching Organisation at the University of Edinburgh.

Jill Morrison

JILL MORRISON is Professor of General Practice and the Deputy Head of Undergraduate Medical School at the University of Glasgow.

Hamish Mckenzie

HAMISH MCKENZIE is Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medicine at the University of Aberdeen.

Gary Mires

GARY MIRES is Professor of Perinatal Health and Education and Undergraduate Teaching Dean in the School of Medicine at the University of Dundee.

Martin Pippard

MARTIN PIPPARD is Professor of Haematology and Head of Medical Education at the University of Dundee.

John Simpson

JOHN SIMPSON is Former Associate Dean (Medical Education) at the University of Aberdeen and was the Convener of the SDMCG at the time the cross-referencing exercise was undertaken.

Allan Cumming

ALLAN CUMMING is Professor of Medical Education and the Director of Undergraduate Teaching and Learning for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

Ronald Harden

RONALD HARDEN is Director of Education with the International Virtual Medical School (IVIMEDS).

Simon Guild

SIMON GUILD is Head of Undergraduate Learning and Teaching, Bute Medical School, University of St Andrews.