Fifteen years medical information sciences: the Amsterdam curriculum.
OBJECTIVE
To inform the medical informatics community on the rational, goals, evolution and present contents of the Medical Information Sciences program of the University of Amsterdam and our achievements.


METHODS
We elaborate on the history of our program, the philosophy, contents and organizational structure of the present-day curriculum. Besides, we describe the various didactic approaches in the program and the rational for these. Finally, we analyze the contents of our program in respect to the IMIA recommendations for dedicated programs in health and medical informatics.


CONCLUSIONS
Since its foundation in 1987, the program has undergone several major modifications. From a degree program following medical school it developed into a full-fledged, dedicated 4-year program on medical information sciences training high-school graduates for a master degree. The curriculum has been based from its outset within the University of Amsterdam-Faculty of Medicine. This organizational structure leaves ample opportunity for integration of the informatics-oriented components with the medical and health care-oriented components in the program. Student-centered approaches are heavily employed in the program, emphasizing students' critical appraisal and a style of life-long learning. Overall, our program follows the IMIA recommendations with slightly more focus on medicine and health care organization.
Jaspers
Monique W
MW
Department of Medical Informatics, University of Amsterdam/Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.w.jaspers@amc.uva.nl
Fockens
Paul
P
Ravesloot
Jan H
JH
Limburg
Martien
M
Abu-Hanna
Ameen
A
D004500:Education, Graduate; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000193:education*; D009426:Netherlands; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration*