Challenges in Implementation of the Competency Based Medical Education

Abstract

Competency-based medical education (CBME) is an approach to ensure that medical students develop those competencies, desired to meet the needs of patients in the community and at the same time meet international standards. Aims & Objectives: This study aims at imparting competencies needed to produce efficient medical graduates who would function as Basic doctors or first contact Physicians, Development & Progression of competency framework, Teaching, Learning and Systemic assessment with the decision of trainee’s progression. To identify about the key aspects of competency-based medical education (CBME) among faculty members of Physiology and to know the various challenges faced by them during the implementation of this new medical curriculum programme. Methods: A Questionnaire based descriptive qualitative study of 4 months duration was conducted among the faculty members of department of Physiology. Initially free listing was done to elicit views of faculty members. Results: Two faculty members of Physiology participated in the free listing. Responses were obtained pertaining to the key aspects of CBME. About eight challenges were identified in the implementation of the new medical curriculum programme during the free listing. Cognitive mapping was also done separately to understand the relationship between the key aspects of CBME and its challenges. Conclusion: By employment of the free listing method, formulation of entrustable professional activities and their assessment using appropriate tools were the identified crucial areas in CBME, while the lack of sensitisation of stakeholders and inadequate planning were identified as the predominant challenges in the implementation of CBME.