Last update:
02-Nov-2000

Arch Hellen Med, 17(2), March-April 2000, 196-204

MEDICAL EDUCATION

Core curriculum and special study modules
Their importance in a modern medical curriculum

C.A. GOGOS, K. VAGIANOS, D.S. BONIKOS
Medical School, University of Patras, Greece

The undergraduate medical curriculum remains the cornerstone for medical education. The inclusion of a core curriculum and special study modules in a medical curriculum reflects changing health care needs and developments in the field of medical sciences. Through the core curriculum, the students master the knowledge, skils and attitudes necessary for clinical practice and the Medical School assures the acquisition of the essential competences of their graduates. Special study modules provide the student with high level knowledge and capabilities and promote critical thinking. Cooperation between students, teachers, medical educators, medical associations and society is crucial for the construction of appropriate medical curriculum, compatible with the established concepts on medical education and open to modern educational methods and practices. Changing a traditional medical curriculum is a task which is difficult, sometimes dangerous, but even is more harmful the absence of self-criticism and vision in the acquisition and transmission of medical knowledge.

Key words: Core curriculum, Medical curriculum, Special study modules.