gms | German Medical Science

Background: Among experts involved in undergraduate medical curriculum development in Japan, clinical skills education has long been considered to be underdeveloped as compared to Western countries. Exposure to bedside teaching is limited, and integration of students into diagnostic or therapeutic reasoning under supervision is not part of final year education. In Western countries, reasons for this development are widely unknown. This presentation aims at giving insight into undergraduate medical school curriculum development in Japan during the last 10 years.

Summary of work: A questionnaire was developed and used as a basis for a free interview of one of the leading Japanese experts in the field (KF). Information regarding

1.

the development of clinical skills training in Japan over the last decade

2.

how the nationwide OSCE for basic clinical skills was implemented and

3.

what further developments are regarded as essential in Japan to continue innovation in curriculum development is highlighted.

Summary of results:

1.

In 2005, the national Common Achievement Test (CAT) was launched (http://www.cato.umin.jp). CAT includes an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) as well as a computer-based test (CBT). This examination is obligatory for all 80 medical schools in Japan.

2.

A complex organizational system with independent observers was established to maximize standardization and objectivity.

3.

In the light of the enormous success of this assessment strategy, a so-called "Advanced OSCE" is soon to be implemented.

Conclusions: In Japan, great effort has been placed into the strengthening of clinical procedural and communicative skills education. A highly sophisticated system to enhance standardization of nationwide assessment has been implemented ten years ago. The knowledge of organizational and strategic measures involved in this implementation may be useful for similar challenges in other countries.