The modular curriculum of medicine at the Charité Berlin – a project report based on an across-semester student evaluation

Aim: The introduction of a reform clause into the German licensing laws for medical doctors has enabled German faculties to pilot alternative designs for medical degree programmes. The aim of this project report is to outline the curricular features of the modular curriculum of medicine (MCM) at the Charité and to assess the results of its implementation based on a student evaluation across semesters. Project outline: The MCM was planned and implemented in a competency- and outcome-based manner from 2010-2016 in a faculty-wide process. The curriculum is characterised by a modular structure, longitudinal teaching formats and the integration of basic and clinical science. In the winter semester 2017, evaluations by students in semesters 1-10 were carried out. The results were analysed descriptively, and the coverage of overarching learning outcomes was compared to the results of a survey carried out amongst students on the traditional regular curriculum of medicine track in 2016. Results: A total of 1,047 students participated in the across-semester evaluation (return rate 35%). A high percentage of the respondents positively rated the achieved curricular integration and longitudinal teaching formats. The majority of the respondents agreed with the relevance of the overarching learning outcomes. Students’ evaluations of the coverage of learning outcomes showed a differentiated picture for the MCM. Compared to the regular curriculum track, the coverage in the MCM programme showed substantial improvements in all aspects. Students found themselves to be better prepared for the M2 state examination and the practical year. The students’ overall satisfaction with their decisions to study in the MCM was high. Conclusions: The results of the student evaluation show that a significant improvement in medical education has been achieved at the Charité with the new integrated, outcome-oriented design and the implementation of the MCM. At the same time, ongoing weaknesses have been revealed that serve as a basis for the continued development of the curriculum. This report aims to contribute to the discussion of the future of undergraduate medical education in Germany.