Versatility of the Kern Six-Step Curriculum Approach across Health Sciences Education - from Simplicity to Complexity

Abstract

The emerging complexities of the healthcare system call for structured, adaptive, as well as evidence-based curriculum frameworks. A framework that is extensively used is the Kern Six-Step Curriculum Cycle (1998). It is a seminal approach widely recognized for its systematic and learner-centered approach. This review highlights the significance of this curriculum cycle that has contributed to shaping educational programs across healthcare settings globally. A narrative literature review and analysis was conducted to explore the diverse applications of the Kern approach. This approach constituted a comprehensive, critical, as well as objective analysis of the current knowledge on the subject matter. The review synthesizes case studies, scholarly articles, and program implementations demonstrating the approach’s versatility across various healthcare domains and instructional formats. Findings depict that the utilization of Kern’s approach in creating curricula is critical in addressing various challenges, including skill gaps, elevating knowledge retention, as well as increasing engagement of the students. The framework has been applied effectively across the health professions, as well as in infection control training, foundational course development, anesthesiology, palliative care education, and more, as is shown. The approach supports iterative refinement and outcome-driven design in curriculum science.The Kern approach's versatility confirms its enduring relevance in healthcare education. Future research may explore its application in emerging digital and global health contexts based on its ability to be used in simple and complex situations.