Getting off the carousel: Exploring the wicked problem of curriculum reform
نویسندگان
چکیده
INTRODUCTION Making substantial changes to the form and delivery of medical education is challenging. One reason for this may be misalignment between existing conceptualizations of curricula and curriculum reform in medical education, with the former perceived as 'complex' yet the latter as linear. Reframing curriculum reform as a process-driven, complex entity may enhance the possibility of change. To explore the utility of this approach, we carried out an exploratory case study of curriculum reform in a real-life context. METHODS We used a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected from 17 interviews with senior faculty involved in curriculum reform in one medical school plus document analysis of approximately 50 documents and files, to provide background, context, and aid triangulation. RESULTS Data coding and analysis was initially inductive, using thematic analysis. After themes were identified, we applied the 'wicked problem' framework to highlight aspects of the data. This paper focuses on two main analytic themes. First, that multiple players hold different views and values in relation to curriculum reform, resulting in various influences on the process and outcomes of reform. Second, 'solutions' generate consequences which go beyond the anticipated advantages of curriculum reform. DISCUSSION This is the first empirical study of curriculum reform in medical education which uses the wicked problem framework to conceptually illuminate the complex processes which occur in relation to reform. Those involved in reform must be reflective and attentive to the possibility that persistent and emerging challenges may be a result of wicked problems.
منابع مشابه
Getting off the carousel: De-centring the curriculum in medical education
It is refreshing to see a research study examining the specificities and particularities of a change process in medical education. ‘Getting off the carousel: Exploring the wicked problem of curriculum reform’ by Hawick et al. does exactly that, providing the medical education community with a very interesting case study [1]. As Hawick et al. note, there is a commonly held belief that curriculum...
متن کاملFactors Affecting Educational Reform at the Level of National and Regional Support for High School
Purpose: This research was conducted with the aim of identifying effective factors on educational reform at the level of national and regional supports for high school mathematics. Methodology: The present study in terms of purpose was applied and in terms of implementation method was qualitative, which was performed in two stages of synthesis research and content analysis. The research enviro...
متن کاملA Wicked Problem? Whistleblowing in Healthcare Organisations; Comment on “Cultures of Silence And Cultures of Voice: The Role of Whistleblowing in Healthcare Organisations”
Mannion and Davies’ article recognises whistleblowing as an important means of identifying quality and safety issues in healthcare organisations. While ‘voice’ is a useful lens through which to examine whistleblowing, it also obscures a shifting pattern of uncertain ‘truths.’ By contextualising cultures which support or impede whislteblowing at an organisational level, two issues are overlooked...
متن کاملTransformational Change in Environmental and Natural Resource Management
It is widely agreed the Anthropocene has seen an unprecedented decline in the natural resources conditions that have underpinned the economic growth of the last few hundred years. As communities, we have not responded to Boulding’s vision of ‘the coming space ship earth’ although not for want of much official and private effort. As ‘wicked problems’ the impacts have been often ignored or off lo...
متن کاملExploring 70 Years of the British National Health Service through Anniversary Documents
The British National Health Service (NHS) celebrates its 70th birthday on July 5, 2018. This article examines this anniversary through the lens of previous anniversaries. It examines seven documents close to each anniversary over a period of some 60 years, drawing on interpretive content analysis, based on the narrative dimensions of context (structure and finance); success or achievements; pro...
متن کامل