A guide to developing a competency based curriculum for a residency training program – Orthopaedic prospective

Residency training programs have emerged as an essential and important element in the lifelong learning path for any physician. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), residency programs in different specialties have been implemented for more than 25 years. Although a number of changes have taken place regarding the format and conduct of these different training programs, the majority of residency programs have been developed based on the expertise of the prominent academics in the field and on feedback from physicians that underwent previous training programs in the region. However, in many centres, the true needs of physicians are not met and the teaching strategies used do not result in the intended outcome.In recent years, many new models for the development of residency program curricula have been developed worldwide. Many of these models are based on specific needs or are goal-driven. This article describes several of the essential and fundamental concepts for developing a competency-based curriculum for a residency training program in the field of orthopaedics. The concept of backward planning is explained, and the possible teaching methods based on the identified competencies and desired learning outcomes of physicians are illustrated.