The Center for Education Research in Medicine and Dentistry (CERMeD, or the MD center) was established on April 1st, 2002. The MD Center is contained within the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, but it's role extends to all the public medical and dental universities within Japan, and to all of the private medical and dental schools as well.
The MD Center has two major functions:
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To examine the way medicine and dentistry is taught in Japan and to define a new and improved curriculum of medical or dental education for all public and private universities. The MD center is studying how the model core-curriculum in medicine and dentistry established in 2001 has been used in medical and dental education and is also involved in its revision.
- To provide a uniform framework for testing the success of medical or dental education in Japan. This is accomplished by the use of the CBT (computer based testing) and by the formation of practical examinations (objective structured clinical examination: OSCE).
Both of these endeavors are already in process. The CBT is used throughout Japan. A format has already been written to modify the medical curriculum and is close to publication and distribution.
The MD Center will benefit by the participation of a professor visiting from abroad; a medical or dental educator who is well versed in all aspects of medical or dental education; someone familiar with the composition and management of medical and dental curricula. And such person should also have skills in depth regarding both computer based testing and clinical skills evaluations.
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