title: An undergraduate Otolaryngology curriculum comparison in the United Kingdom using a curriculum evaluation framework.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare undergraduate otolaryngology curricula in the United Kingdom. To develop a tool which would allow undergraduate specialty curricula to be compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Development of a curriculum evaluation framework (CEF) and survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  UK medical schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Otolaryngology curricula were requested from all 32 UK medical schools who award a primary medical qualification. Nineteen curricula were received and examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thematic and content analysis of curriculum documents were undertaken. Outcome measures include an examination of curriculum content and methods, type of assessment and alignment of curricula with the General Medical Council's Tomorrow's Doctors document.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Learning objectives were listed by 18 of the 19 medical schools who responded. The most commonly included theme was clinical conditions (100%). Psychosocial aspects of otolaryngology was the least covered theme (37%). Examination skills was covered by the majority (74%). Outpatient clinics and theatre attendance were the most commonly utilised teaching methods (47%). Student checklists were the most common form of assessment (32%). Only four medical schools linked their curricula to the GMC's Tomorrow's Doctors document.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The development of a CEF allowed for a systematic comparison of curricula. This study, evaluating otolaryngology curricula, has highlighted the variability of curricula from both a content and methods perspective in the UK. The study provides those involved with curriculum planning an overview of the main themes currently taught in the UK and offers examples of individual topics. It also offers an insight into the way in which otolaryngology is taught in the UK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Steven
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Mires
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: S K W
authors.initials: SKW
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McAleer
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D012577:Schools, Medical; D006113:United Kingdom