Health professions education in the 21st century: A contextual curriculum framework for analysis and development

Abstract

Adetunji Obadeji

Curriculum remains a vital aspect of any educational program. It is a plan on which any educational program is built; therefore, its design must provide all important elements that will ensure the realization of the set objectives or outcomes. This framework, therefore, provides a guide from design to the implementation, analysis, and provides ways to identify the strength and weaknesses of a program. This contextual curriculum framework highlights the purpose of the program, the needs it meant to meet, and the objectives or the expected outcome. It emphasizes the need to carefully select and organize the contents to allow for the realization of the learning outcomes. Similarly, the educational or instructional strategies must be carefully selected in line with the goals and objectives and aligned with the assessment strategies. A curriculum should also provide detailed information on the assessment modality and how the process will be managed so as to ensure effective and efficient implementation and evaluation of the curriculum. This framework identifies six important points that must be looked into when carrying out curriculum development or analysis, more importantly in the health professions education.