Case studies in outcome-based education

Abstract

Outcome-based education is one of the most significant global developments in medical education in recent years. This paper presents four case studies of outcome-based education from medical schools in different parts of the world; Scotland; USA; Pakistan; and Singapore. The outcome-based curricula have either been in place for some time, are evolving or are at the planning proposal stage. The outcomes, change process and implementation of the outcome-based approach are described. Variation in the extent to which each medical school has implemented outcome-based education is discussed and key points for successful implementation are highlighted. This paper is based on the pre-conference symposium “outcome-based curricula: global perspectives” presented by the authors at the 4th Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC) in Singapore, 8–11 February, 2007.

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Notes on contributors

Margery H. Davis

MARGERY H. DAVIS MD MBCHB FRCP is the Professor of Medical Education and Director of the Centre for Medical Education, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK.

Zubair Amin

ZUBAIR AMIN MD is a Deputy Head of the Medical Education Unit and Assistant Professor of Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Joseph P. Grande

JOSEPH P. GRANDE MD PHD, is an Associate Dean for Education Affairs and Professor of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN, USA.

Angela E. O’Neill

ANGELA E. O'NEIL MD, is an Assistant Dean for Student Career Development and Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN, USA.

Wojciech Pawlina

WOJCIECH PAWLINA MD is an Assistant Dean for Curriculum Development and Innovation, Professor of Anatomy and Chair of the Department of Anatomy, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN, USA.

Thomas R. Viggiano

THOMAS R. VIGGIANO, MD, MEd, is an Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Barbara Woodward Lips Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN, USA.

Rukhsana Zuberi

RUKHSANA W. ZUBERI MD FCPS MHPE is Associate Dean for Education, Professor of Family Medicine, and Chair of the Department for Educational Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.