A comprehensive competence- based approach in curriculum development: Experiences from African and European contexts

Objective: To describe the methodological steps of developing an integrated reference guide for competences according to the profile of the healthcare professionals concerned.Design: Human resources in healthcare represent a complex issue, which needs conceptual and methodological frameworks and tools to help one understand reality and the limits of one’s acts.Setting: This study uses results from four contexts (Belgium/Europe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Senegal) in which integrated reference guides for competences for healthcare professionals have been developed.Method: Priority was given to the writing of curricula (initial training) or of training plans (continuous training) more effective in terms of professionalization and more adequate to populations’ needs.Results: Pedagogical approach is presented as some (step-by-step) methodological guidance which will help one to get acquainted with this approach. This analysis questions the whole issue of healthcare training institutions’ social ...