 |
 |
Home >
Products > DICC
Dermatology Integrative Competency Curriculum is
case-based learning that uses a patient problem as a stimulus for
learning appropriate dermatology subjects. Compared to traditional
memory-based or didactic learning, the integrative competency curriculum
is thought to be more effective for creating a usable body of knowledge
in the mind of the learner. In addition, it allows identification
and assessment of competently discussed case objectives categorized
into one or more of the ACGME defined competency areas. In the integrated
competency curriculum, the problem is encountered first in the learning
process and served as a focus or stimulus for learning. The primary
educational goals of the dermatology integrative competency curriculum
are to acquire an integrative body of knowledge related to the problem
and to develop and apply critical thinking, problem solving and self-directed
life-long learning skills.
Why Integrative Competency Curriculum? Adult Learning Theory.
Dermatology residents have learning style preferences consistent with
adult learners. Many programs may wonder, “If it isn’t
broke, why fix it?” There are two main answers for that question.
First, we have to meaningfully incorporate core competencies into
our curriculum and, second, our learners are adults, not children.
The characteristics of dermatological knowledge is immense and constantly
changing. Decision-making, reasoning and problem solving are critical
cognitive processes in dermatology practice. Dermatology education
extends over the lifetime of the individual, so we need to create
a resourceful, efficient, lifelong learner. This brings us to the
theories of adult learning and brings up a new term to review - andragogy.
Adults have different learning styles than children. Throughout most
of primary, secondary and undergraduate education, and even in many
medical schools, pedagogical learning styles prevail. The word pedagogy
has its roots in the art of teaching children. Andragogy is a term
coined by Dr Malcolm Knowles, one of the central figures in US adult
education in the second half of the Twentieth Century. Andragogy refers
to the art of teaching adults. The reason for the new term was to
stress the fact that adults learn differently than children.
There are five main qualities of adult learners. The first is self-direction.
Adult learners tend to prefer having a hand in deciding what they
need to know. Adult learners are in general experience oriented. Many
might consider the entire clinical learning process of dermatology
residents to be an excellent example of experience-oriented adult
learning. Adult learners are internally motivated. Adults will pursue
knowledge for knowledge’s sake, or because of relevance to their
chosen area of interest. They do not do it because of a score or a
grade. They seek knowledge to improve themselves. Adult learners look
for immediate application. Knowledge that has no obvious relevance
will often be lost shortly thereafter in the mind of the adult learner.
So many facts fill the minds of the adult, but only the most relevant
and applicable knowledge will have a tendency for long-lasting resilience.
And, finally, adult learners tend to prefer problem-centered learning
rather than content-oriented learning. Information concepts and skills
are put in the memory in association with a problem, allowing material
to be recalled more easily when the adult learner is faced with another
related problem. Thus, information obtained in the context of a problem
is far better retained than that information passively obtained out
of context.
Integrating the Competencies
With the ACGME Outcomes Project beginning in 2000, just at the time
the curriculum was being developed and piloted, the curriculum project
took on new life and new purpose to have at its core a complete integration
of all six competencies. No longer would the curriculum focus on patient
care and medical knowledge, but now dissecting the learner’s
thought processes with the other competencies would occur as well.
With each learning session and with each case, faculty, facilitators
and dermatology learners would discuss relevant patient-related applicable
information and scenarios to further develop the resident’s
self-directed competency in a meaningful, applicable, problem-centered
fashion. With each case, competently discussed questions and objectives
are documented and summarized each in one or more of the six competency
areas. Thus, the dermatology integrative competency curriculum serves
as a potent format for identifying, teaching and assessing the competencies.
Expanding the Curriculum Faculty
“No One Person Owns a Curriculum”
Success of the dermatology integrative curriculum can only occur with
the sharing of the curriculum. This begins at the creator level with
an expansion of the key curriculum development faculty. Key dermatologists
with various backgrounds and specialty areas of interest have joined
the curriculum development faculty. They include experts in general
and medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, dermatology surgery,
dermatopathology, basic science, and cosmetic dermatology.
There are many opportunities to participate as a curriculum faculty
member. These are the experts currently working to define learning
objectives and to develop the problem-centered cases.
Plan to Share
“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with
it.”
-Sir Winston Churchill
We are all members of the same residency education community. My hope
is that this can be a helpful tool made available to all programs.
The intent of this project has always been to share a vision and what
I believe to be a better way of learning and a better way of creating
a body of knowledge usable in the future in the mind of the learner.
For those programs who would like to try this, I would like to offer
free access to our online site. User identification and passwords
will be given only so that we may help your program keep track of
all competently discussed objectives and questions. We will also look
forward to your comments, suggestions, and case developments of your
own. The feedback from other programs will be very important for us
to maximize resident competency.
|
 |
 |
 |

www.dermcompetency.com
A site dedicated to supporting case-based learning by offering an
educational interface that uses patient problems as stimulus for learning
appropriate dermatology subjects. |