Defining the dermatological content of the undergraduate medical curriculum: a modified Delphi study.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Dermatological problems are common, but in undergraduate medical courses time for learning dermatology and teaching dermatology is limited. The Delphi technique has been used in other specialties to define undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and to reach consensus on what is important.

OBJECTIVES:
To identify the core dermatological content of the undergraduate medical curriculum.

METHODS:
Modified Delphi technique. A questionnaire was designed after review of previous recommendations made by dermatologists. Items were written as explicit learning outcomes. A multidisciplinary panel of 66 individuals responded. Outcomes were rated using a Likert scale (1-5).

RESULTS:
Fifty-three learning outcomes were rated 'very important'. We recommend that these are included in the content of U.K. undergraduate medical core curricula.

CONCLUSIONS:
A multidisciplinary panel identified dermatological learning outcomes that should be achieved by all medical graduates. Undergraduate medical curricula must provide sufficient resources for learning, teaching and assessment of dermatology so that graduates achieve these outcomes.

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Author information

Author/s: Clayton, R (R); Perera, R (R); Burge, S (S);

Affiliation: Dermatology Department, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, and Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jul; vol 155 (issue 1) : pp 137-44

Dates: Created 2006/06/23; Completed 2006/10/17; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16792765, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Delphi Technique
Dermatology - education
Education, Medical, Undergraduate - methods; standards
Humans

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