A Systems Thinking approach for the creation of effective competency-based medical education programs

Abstract

Successful and sustainable implementation of
Competency-based Medical Education (CBME)
programs is a significant and daunting challenge
facing medical education worldwide. Our
manuscript endorses for the first time, Systems
Thinking as a concept for transforming and
redesigning CBME programs employing the full 7-
system elements as advocated by the Biomatrix
Systems Theory. The majority of internationally
recommended actions and processes for such an
endeavor are highlighted, each within its system
element. New innovative ideas such as having
competency-structured clinical training activities
as well as re-writing medical textbooks following a
novel competency-based roadmap for their disease
monographs etc. are also highlighted.
Furthermore, the need for innovative partnerships
as well as novel medical rotations that may
facilitate the creation of “master clinicians” are
also stressed.