Faculty Perspective on the Challenges Faced During Implementation of Integrated Curriculum

Kinza Aslam; Rehan Ahmed Khan; Mohammad Annas Aslam; Kainat Javed; Rizwana Kamran; Anum Ahmed Raja

doi:10.53685/jshmdc.v3i2.121

Authors

Kinza Aslam Department of Medical Education, University College of Medicine, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2585-1632
Rehan Ahmed Khan Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8045-1471
Mohammad Annas Aslam Department of Oral Medicine, Rashid, Latif Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0848-5087
Kainat Javed Department of Medical Education, University College of Medicine, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Rizwana Kamran Department of Medical Education, Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Lahore, Pakistan
Anum Ahmed Raja Department of Oral Biology, University College of Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1331-758X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53685/jshmdc.v3i2.121

Keywords:

Curriculum, Faculty and Dentistry

Abstract

Background: Curriculum is a dynamic thing that has evolved over the years to ensure the competency of health care professionals. Due to guidelines issued by international accrediting agencies, University College of Medicine & Dentistry implemented an integrated modular curriculum in 2015 that is coordinated and coherent.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the difficulties that the faculty faced while implementing an integrated curriculum for the undergraduate dental program (BDS) at the University College of Dentistry, The University of Lahore.

Methods: This descriptive exploratory study was conducted from September 2020 till January 2021 at University College of Dentistry, The University of Lahore. Thirty-five faculty members were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed thematically after being transcribed.

Results: Six themes emerged from the analysis of interviews. These themes were: working environment, distribution of workload, communication, faculty development and retention, evaluation and leadership.

Conclusions: Integrated curriculum may be the need of the hour; however, its implementation comes with a set of challenges, which include a non-conducive working environment, uneven distribution of workload, absence of a sound faculty development and retention program, or absence of adequate resources. These factors may hinder the implementation of the integrated curriculum.

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