Leasing a medical curriculum: What’s it worth?

Abstract

Introduction: The early part of this century saw an unprecedented growth in number and size of Australian medical schools. There was some partnering of the new schools with existing programs. Griffith, Deakin and Curtin Universities leased an established curriculum from Flinders University.

Nature and rationale for curriculum leasing: The new schools had short startup times and leasing a curriculum enabled them to appoint key staff, develop facilities and meet accreditation requirements in a timely way. However, the lease arrangements were costly and the curriculum was largely determined before the Dean and key staff appointments.

Outcomes of leasing: There was differential adoption of the leased curriculum. The first two years of the courses at Flinders were transferred with little change. The final two years of predominantly clinical studies were developed differently. This is explained through Michael Fullan’s work on context in educational change. The context of the clinical years of the courses involved negotiations with local health services and other schools using those health services. The advantage of the leasing arrangements was that the new schools could proceed through early development and accreditation, while having time and opportunity to negotiate a clinical curriculum that engaged local health services and fulfilled the new schools’ missions.

Glossary

Curriculum transfer: Transfer of curriculum from one institution to another with little change (Varpio et al. 2012)

Curriculum transformation: Substantial change of an adopted curriculum so it no longer resembles its initial form (Varpio et al. 2012)

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Prideaux

Professor David Prideaux, Dip T, BA (Hons), MEd, PhD, FANZHPE is Emeritus Professor of Medical Education in the Prideaux Centre for Research in Health Professions Education at Flinders University, Adelaide Australia. He is a former Deputy Dean and Head of Health Professional Education at Flinders University and former Professor of Medical Education at Griffith and Deakin Universities.

Julie Ash

Dr. Julie Ash, BSc (Hons), BMBS. PhD, FANZHPE is Senior Lecturer and Research Higher Degree Coordinator in the Prideaux Centre for Research in Health Professions Education, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University. She teaches in Flinders’ medical and clinical education programs, supervises research students and consults in the field of health professions education.

Simon Broadley

Professor Simon Broadley, BSc (Hons), MBChB, MRCP (UK), PhD, FRACP is Professor of Neurology at Griffith University and was previously the Dean of Medicine at the same institution for eight years. He has been involved in medical education and medical education research for 13 years.

Brendan Crotty

Professor Brendan Crotty, MBBS, MD, FRACP is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health at Deakin University. He was previously Foundation Head of the Deakin School of Medicine and Chair of the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria.

William Hart

Professor William Hart, MBBS (Hons), FAFPHM is Dean of Medicine at Curtin University, former Head of the Graduate Entry MBBS at Gippsland Medical School and Medical Educator with the Family Medicine Program of the RACGP. Other roles include Deputy Director of Public Health (Victoria), CEO of Neurosciences Victoria and the National Neurosciences Facility.

Judy Searle

Professor Judy Searle, BMBS, MD, FRANZCOG, GradCertTE is Professor (Clinical Academic) at the School of Medicine, Griffith University and member of the Board of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service. She is the Former Chief Executive Officer of Medical Deans, Australia and New Zealand and Foundation Dean of the School of Medicine, Griffith University.

Jon Watson

Professor Jon Watson, MA, MBBS, FRACP attended Cambridge University for his BA and MA in Medical Sciences and Oxford University for his MBBS. He trained as a physician and gastroenterologist in Oxford, London, and Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. He is now Professor of Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong.

Lindon Wing

Professor Lindon Wing, OAM, MBBS, FRACP is an Emeritus Professor of Flinders University and a former Dean of the Flinders University Medical School (1998–2007).

Paul Worley

Professor Paul Worley, MBBS, FRACGP, FACRRM, DRANZCOG, PhD is a former Dean of Medicine at Flinders University. He has since been appointed as Australia’s inaugural National Rural Health Commissioner. He lives in Adelaide and continues his academic interest in rural community-based medical education through the Prideaux Centre at Flinders University.