Curriculum Development for Preclinical Medical Education at Yeungnam University

Kim, Seong Yong

Abstract

After Yeungnam University's College of Medicine was established in 1979, the curriculum for a preclinical medical education course was developed and implemented. Several modifications have since been made to the curriculum which was driven by changes in national policies and in the medical education environment. In recent years, it has become necessary to complement the weaknesses or shortcomings in the curriculum that were discovered during the basic medical education assessment process of the medical college. Since 2009, Yeungnam University has run two medical courses: a 6-year college of medicine course and a 4-year medical school course. However, as a result of changes in national policy, Yeungnam University decided to offer only the 6-year college of medicine course with an entirely new curriculum which will be implemented in 2017. The new curriculum for the preclinical medical education course consists of 36 credits of cultural essentials courses, 44 credits of major required courses, and 2 credits of major elective courses. The curriculum development requires the support of the university and/or college, the ensured independence of the curriculum development organization, and the cooperation and attention of fellow professors. Continuous efforts are needed to check, evaluate, and improve the curriculum.