Developing a core competency model for translational medicine curriculum

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a core competency model for translational medicine curriculum in the Korean graduate education context. METHODS: We invited specialists and key stakeholders to develop a consensus on a core competency model. The working group composed of 17 specialists made an initial draft of a core competency model based on the literature review. The initial draft was sent to the survey group by email to ask whether they agreed or disagreed with each core competency. The working group simplified, merged, or excluded the competencies that received less than 80% agreement among the 43 survey respondents. The working group also reorganized the order of the domains and competencies based on the survey results, and clustered the domains into four major areas. RESULTS: The final core competency model has four areas, 12 domains, and 34 core competencies. The major areas are theory-based problem assessment and formulation, study design and measurement, study implementation, and literature review and critique. CONCLUSION: This new core competency model will provide guidance for the competency based education of translational medicine in Korea.