Curriculum Design for Competency-Based Education in Orthopaedics

Abstract

This chapter provides program directors and faculty with a systematic, stepwise process to create competency-based curricula for rotations or educational experiences. Creating competency-based program goals, rotation goals, and objectives can be daunting, but important tasks, which focus trainees and faculty on content and educational outcomes pertinent to the rotational experience. As the surgical world becomes more subspecialized, residency training and, therefore, the curriculum must remain an inclusive, encompassing teaching of principles that will sustain the surgeon through his/her future. New surgeons will have to adjust to increases in knowledge and technology, as well as develop the ability to “think on their feet.” The process for writing rotational curriculum and curriculum for educational experiences, such as a simulation course, should follow the principles and process described below. Backward design is an instructional design model that may offer some solutions to program directors charged with writing competency-based rotation curricula or curricula for educational experiences. Backward design principles begin with identifying educational outcomes and working backwards to design curriculum.