Howe et al describe a process of medical education in evolution1.
When the GMC first published Tomorrow’s Doctors in 1993, medical schools
up and down the country made changes to their curricula so as not to fall
foul of the GMC inspectors2. At the time I was a medical student
representative working with administrators and clinicians developing the
curriculum at my medical school. It was a difficult task – maintaining a
curriculum that was ‘unique’ to our city; ensuring our curriculum was
compliant with the GMC; and being considerate to the ‘old school’ methods
of teaching which still seemed to work. As we reported our changes we
were bombarded with negative and pessimistic comments from students and
staff alike! The four new medical schools however have a distinct
advantage over ourselves ten years ago in that they are starting out with
a ‘clean slate.’ They have an exciting opportunity to think radically –
which I am pleased to see they are; without many of the constraints and
negative opinions we had ten years ago.
As part of the new curriculum at my medical school ten years ago
Special Study Modules (SSM's)were born. A month block at the end of the
third year devoted to an area of interest to the student. Before we
started our SSM’s, students and staff were sceptical! I am pleased to
report that for the most part they were a success, and medical schools now
devote considerable time to this sort of learning. In last year’s update
of Tomorrow’s Doctors SSM’s have turned into Student Selected Components –
but what’s in a name?3.
The development of medical curricula in older medical schools ten
years ago has paved the way for the evolution in medical education taking
place in our new medical schools. It would appear that change isn’t such
a bad thing after all!
1. Howe A, et al. New perspectives-approaches to medical education
at four new UK medical schools. BMJ 2004; 329:327-32
2. General Medical Council. Tomorrow’s Doctors. London: GMC:1993
3. General Medical Council. Tomorrow’s Doctors. London: GMC:2003
Rapid Response:
Medical Education in Evolution
Howe et al describe a process of medical education in evolution1.
When the GMC first published Tomorrow’s Doctors in 1993, medical schools
up and down the country made changes to their curricula so as not to fall
foul of the GMC inspectors2. At the time I was a medical student
representative working with administrators and clinicians developing the
curriculum at my medical school. It was a difficult task – maintaining a
curriculum that was ‘unique’ to our city; ensuring our curriculum was
compliant with the GMC; and being considerate to the ‘old school’ methods
of teaching which still seemed to work. As we reported our changes we
were bombarded with negative and pessimistic comments from students and
staff alike! The four new medical schools however have a distinct
advantage over ourselves ten years ago in that they are starting out with
a ‘clean slate.’ They have an exciting opportunity to think radically –
which I am pleased to see they are; without many of the constraints and
negative opinions we had ten years ago.
As part of the new curriculum at my medical school ten years ago
Special Study Modules (SSM's)were born. A month block at the end of the
third year devoted to an area of interest to the student. Before we
started our SSM’s, students and staff were sceptical! I am pleased to
report that for the most part they were a success, and medical schools now
devote considerable time to this sort of learning. In last year’s update
of Tomorrow’s Doctors SSM’s have turned into Student Selected Components –
but what’s in a name?3.
The development of medical curricula in older medical schools ten
years ago has paved the way for the evolution in medical education taking
place in our new medical schools. It would appear that change isn’t such
a bad thing after all!
1. Howe A, et al. New perspectives-approaches to medical education
at four new UK medical schools. BMJ 2004; 329:327-32
2. General Medical Council. Tomorrow’s Doctors. London: GMC:1993
3. General Medical Council. Tomorrow’s Doctors. London: GMC:2003
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests