Updating the British Geriatrics Society recommended undergraduate curriculum in geriatric medicine: A curriculum mapping and nominal group technique study

Background The ageing population necessitates that doctors are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to care for older people with complex health and social care needs. Undergraduate teaching in geriatric medicine has a critical role to play in preparing doctors of the future. The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) recommended undergraduate curriculum was last revised in 2013, and there have been numerous advances in the field in the interim. The purpose of this update is to ensure that the recommendations meet the standards required by the General Medical Council in Outcomes for Graduates and the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) and to bring UK guidance in line with the European recommended undergraduate curriculum.

Methods A multi-stage consensus method involving key stakeholders was used to update this curriculum. The current BGS recommended curriculum was mapped to the European curriculum and MLA content map to identify gaps and inform discussions in a virtual nominal group technique.

Results In this update, the recommended curriculum is restructured around seven core areas of geriatric medicine, with clearly defined learning objectives that encourage active participation of students in the clinical environment. Consensus agreement was that these reflect the minimum level of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the optimal care of older people, which medical students must be able to demonstrate by graduation.

Conclusion This updated curriculum presents a model for teaching and learning in geriatric medicine, which is timely as UK medical schools are preparing their curricula for the MLA.