A PROPOSED STANDARD CURRICULUM IN TRANSFUSION MEDICINE FOR JAPANESE MEDICAL SCHOOLS

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Transfusion and Cell Therapy Vol. 58; no. 5; pp. 720 - 725
• Main Authors: Sagawa, Kimitaka, Kodama, Ken, Takata, Noboru, Kino, Shuichi, Wano, Yuji, Kamijo, Aki, Nibu, Keiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: The Japan Society of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy 2012
• Subjects: clinically oriented practicum; core curriculum; minimum essential curriculum; standard curriculum; transfusion medicine education
• ISSN: 1881-3011; 1883-0625
• DOI: 10.3925/jjtc.58.720

With the aim of standardizing the undergraduate educational program for transfusion medicine in medical schools in Japan, a standard educational curriculum was proposed by the Japan Society of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy's Subcommittee for Transfusion Medicine Education. This standard curriculum was based on the actual curricula in use at the seven medical schools where the members of the subcommittee work. The proposed curriculum calls for 5 lecture units and 3 units of clinically oriented practicum. Lecture contents were classified according to educational priority as 'required', 'strongly recommended', or 'recommended'. A minimum essential curriculum of 3 lecture units was also proposed for medical schools unable to provide the full set of 5 lectures. In addition to systematic lectures, it was suggested that each medical school also consider adopting other educational methods, such as tutorial learning, problem-based learning, role plays, and observations at the blood center. Finally, to ensure that students gain the proper skills and knowledge required to perform transfusion medicine, it was recommended that each medical school develop its own transfusion medicine curriculum based on the standard curriculum proposed by the subcommittee.