This book has a high degree of reader friendliness. It provides a practical and easy-to-follow six-step approach to 
curriculum development for medical education. It 
starts with a suitable introduction and an overview 
of the six steps that highlight the interactive and 
continuous nature of the approach. The following 

chapters (2 to 7) describe each of the six steps in 
detail: problem identification, needs assessment, 
goals and objectives, educational strategies, 
implementation, and evaluation. Chapter 8 explains 
the significance of the maintenance, enhancement, 
and dissemination of a curriculum. Appendix A is a 
highlight because it gives practical examples of the 
six step approach. Appendix B provides the reader 
with a selected list of published and unpublished 
resources on funding, faculty development, and 
already developed curricula. On a more personal 
level, I chose to read and review this book because I 
am interested in curriculum design and found it to 
be a great starting place. I have completed my major 
paper on curriculum development in a residency 
program using this approach.
The major strength of the book is that the 
six steps are clearly presented with relevant 
examples to illustrate important concepts. It is 
very useful for beginner curriculum developers.
Summary tables are available which help readers 
with limited time to get to grips with the 
comprehensive text. Every chapter finishes with 
conclusions and questions which stimulate critical 
reflection. These are then followed by helpful general 
and specific references. There is an evaluation form 
at end of the book which can be used by the reader 
to contribute to improvements in future editions.

The weakness of this book is that it is mainly focused 
on education in medicine. Incorporating examples 

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BOOK REVIEWBOOK REVIEW

Curriculum Development for Medical 
Education 

A Six-Step Approach 
Authors: David E Kern, Patricia A Thomas, Donna M Howard, Eric B Bass

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, 2nd edition, 2009
ISBN: 0-8018-5844-5 

Orders: http://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu

SQU Med J, December 2010, Vol. 10, Iss. 3, pp. 416-417, Epub. 14th Nov 10 
Submitted - 25th June 10 



David E Kern, Patricia A Thomas, Donna M Howard and Eric B Bass

Book Review | 417

from other health professions might attract a 
wider audience. In addition, some of the examples 
are challenging to understand. Finally, it contains 
only one figure; having more would make it more 
applicable to readers with visual learning styles. 
The intended audience includes program directors 
and other faculty members who are responsible 
for the educational experiences of students, 
residents, fellows and clinical practitioners. 
I recommend this book to all health educators to 
use as a basic framework to guide them through the 

curriculum development process. Also, it would be 
useful for all beginner curriculum developers.

 
 
r e v i e w e r

Thuraya A Al-Shidhani
Department of Family and Community Medicine 
University of Toronto 
Toronto, Canada 
Email: shidhanitutu@yahoo.com