title: Defining the learning outcomes of graduates from the medical school at the University of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain).
abstract: It is generally accepted that medical schools must clearly define learning outcomes for their students. During the process of curriculum change initiated in 1990, Spanish medical schools introduced a range of general objectives but no specific outcomes were defined. In 2001, in an effort to improve its curriculum, the Medical School at the University of Barcelona decided to define the specific learning outcomes for its graduates. The process was carried out by a teachers' group, comprising individuals from different branches of medicine, drawing largely on the Outcome-based Education in Medicine model introduced by the Scottish Deans' Medical Curriculum Group (2000). Other different stakeholders were asked to give any suggestions for modifications in order to prepare a definitive document to be approved by the medical school. The whole process took two years to complete. The authors discuss the advantages of such a process for students, teachers and the institution.
authors.affiliation: Department de Ciènces Fisiològiques I, Medical School, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. jpales@ub.es
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palés
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cardellach
authors.forename: MaTeresa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Estrach
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gomar
authors.forename: Arcadi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gual
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.forename: Josep Antoni
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bombí
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D013030:Spain; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*