Volume 17, Issue 3 (2025)
Res Med Edu 2025, 17(3): 1-4 |
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Heidarzadeh A, Aghabagheri M, Sabet B. The Role of the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum in the Field of Family Medicine in General Medical Education. Res Med Edu 2025; 17 (3) :1-4
URL: http://rme.gums.ac.ir/article-1-1478-en.html
URL: http://rme.gums.ac.ir/article-1-1478-en.html
Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , abtinh@gmail.com
Abstract: (745 Views)
Dear Editor
The field of family medicine plays a vital role in medical education, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive and continuous care for individuals and families across various age groups and health conditions. The exposure of medical students to family medicine professionals is essential for training future physicians. Only through this exposure can we ensure that they are well-equipped with a holistic approach to address diverse health needs, particularly in underserved communities (1).
Key Components of General Medical Education within the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum (LIC) in Family Medicine are:
1) Curriculum Integration:
Medical schools are required to incorporate family medicine education into their core curriculum across all three stages of clinical preparation, clerkship, and clinical rotations in the internship. This integration aids students in properly understanding the broad scope of family medicine, which includes inpatient and outpatient care across all age groups, preventive care, and chronic disease management.
2) Early Exposure:
Early exposure to the field of family medicine is crucial for fostering an interest in serving people among medical students. Programs that provide longitudinal clinical experiences enable students to accompany family physicians and appreciate the role of this specialty in delivering healthcare(2).
Core Requirements of the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum in Family Medicine:
1) The minimum duration of each rotation should not be less than four weeks.
2) Exposure to various aspects of family medicine, such as women's health, pediatrics, and geriatrics, should occur in a single location.
Key Components of General Medical Education within the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum (LIC) in Family Medicine are:
1) Curriculum Integration:
Medical schools are required to incorporate family medicine education into their core curriculum across all three stages of clinical preparation, clerkship, and clinical rotations in the internship. This integration aids students in properly understanding the broad scope of family medicine, which includes inpatient and outpatient care across all age groups, preventive care, and chronic disease management.
2) Early Exposure:
Early exposure to the field of family medicine is crucial for fostering an interest in serving people among medical students. Programs that provide longitudinal clinical experiences enable students to accompany family physicians and appreciate the role of this specialty in delivering healthcare(2).
Core Requirements of the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum in Family Medicine:
1) The minimum duration of each rotation should not be less than four weeks.
2) Exposure to various aspects of family medicine, such as women's health, pediatrics, and geriatrics, should occur in a single location.
3) Continuity of contact with preceptors (active family physicians) throughout medical education.
4) Focus on competencies rather than merely completing the duration of the rotation, with the understanding that the LIC in family medicine emphasizes developing competencies that enable students to effectively manage common outpatient and emergency issues. A key aspect of this education involves understanding how to provide care within the framework of the family and the local community.
5) Faculty development supported by ongoing faculty development programs enhances the quality of teaching in family medicine and ensures that educators are well-prepared to provide effective mentorship(3).
Secondary Outcomes of Implementing the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum in Family Medicine:
1) Impact on Health and Healthcare:The longitudinal integrated education in family medicine not only prepares students for their real roles as primary care providers but also addresses the healthcare needs of community members more broadly.
2) Access to Care:Family physicians are often the first point of contact in healthcare systems, especially in rural and urban underserved areas. Their training equips them to deliver essential preventive care, manage chronic diseases, and coordinate with other specialists as needed.
3) Holistic Approach:This specialty integrates biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences, promoting a comprehensive approach to patient care.
4) Development of Professional Identity in Students and Graduates.
5) Enhanced Career Motivation for Family Physicians in Educational Settings (4).
In conclusion, the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum in family medicine is critical for establishing a knowledgeable and capable workforce to provide essential healthcare services within the health system that can meet the diverse needs of patients and clients. By integrating family medicine education into the curriculum, offering early exposure, and focusing on comprehensive education, medical schools can ensure that future physicians are prepared to deliver high-quality care to all populations.
5) Faculty development supported by ongoing faculty development programs enhances the quality of teaching in family medicine and ensures that educators are well-prepared to provide effective mentorship(3).
Secondary Outcomes of Implementing the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum in Family Medicine:
1) Impact on Health and Healthcare:The longitudinal integrated education in family medicine not only prepares students for their real roles as primary care providers but also addresses the healthcare needs of community members more broadly.
2) Access to Care:Family physicians are often the first point of contact in healthcare systems, especially in rural and urban underserved areas. Their training equips them to deliver essential preventive care, manage chronic diseases, and coordinate with other specialists as needed.
3) Holistic Approach:This specialty integrates biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences, promoting a comprehensive approach to patient care.
4) Development of Professional Identity in Students and Graduates.
5) Enhanced Career Motivation for Family Physicians in Educational Settings (4).
In conclusion, the Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum in family medicine is critical for establishing a knowledgeable and capable workforce to provide essential healthcare services within the health system that can meet the diverse needs of patients and clients. By integrating family medicine education into the curriculum, offering early exposure, and focusing on comprehensive education, medical schools can ensure that future physicians are prepared to deliver high-quality care to all populations.
Type of Study: letter to Editor |
Subject:
curriculum, Educational Planning
References
1. Heidarzadeh A, Sabet B, Aghabagheri M, Dadgaran I, KalantarE. A Three-Month Internship in the Field of Family Medicine: an Inevitable Shortcut to Training the Human Resources Needed for the Family health Program. Research in Medical Education 2023;15(3): 81-83. [DOI:10.32592/rmegums.15.3.81]
2. Brauer DG, Ferguson KJ. The integrated curriculum in medical education: AMEE Guide No. 96. Med Teach 2015;37(4):312-22. [Persian] [DOI:10.3109/0142159X.2014.970998]
3. Hense H, Harst L, Küster D, Walther F, Schmitt J. Implementing longitudinal integrated curricula: Systematic review of barriers and facilitators. Med Educ 2021;55(5):558-573. [DOI:10.1111/medu.14401]
4. Poncelet AN, Mazotti LA, Blumberg B, Wamsley MA, Grennan T, Shore WB. Creating a longitudinal integrated clerkship with mutual benefits for an academic medical center and a community health system. Perm J 2014;18(2):50-6. [DOI:10.7812/TPP/13-137]
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