Real time curriculum map for internal medicine residency

We created a 3-year cyclical curriculum map (an educational tool combining the content, methodology and timetabling of structured teaching), comprising a matrix of topics under various specialties/themes and corresponding AHD hours. All topics were cross-matched against the ACP-ASIM in-training examination, and all hours were colour coded based on the categories of core competencies. Residents regularly updated the map on a real time basis.There were 208 topics covered in 283 AHD hours. All topics represented core competencies with minimal duplication (78% covered once in 3 years). Only 42 hours (15%) involved non-didactic teaching, which increased after implementation of the map (18–19 hours/year versus baseline 5 hours/year). Most AHD hours (78%) focused on medical expert competencies. Resident satisfaction (90% response) was high throughout (range 3.64 ± 0.21, 3.84 ± 0.14 out of 4), which improved after 1 year but returned to baseline after 2 years.We developed and implemented an internal medicine curriculum map based on real time resident input, with minimal topic duplication and high resident satisfaction. The map provided an opportunity to balance didactic versus non-didactic teaching, and teaching on medical versus non medical expert topics.Although accreditation bodies in North America have outlined well-established, multifaceted goals (overall direction of the education program), objectives (educationally useful elements that are rotation specific) and competencies (important observable knowledge, skills and attitudes) for residency training in internal medicine, the operational delivery of formal curriculum has been challenging for many postgraduate programs. Not only is there a tremendous and growing amount of academic content to cover during residency, but programs are also expected to teach residents all 6 general core competencies mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in the United States [1], or all 7 roles in th