# Mapping the undergraduate medical curriculum of the Charité Berlin against the National Competence-Based Catalogue of Learning Objectives (NKLM 2.0)

## TL;DR

This study compares the medical curriculum at Charité Berlin with the revised German learning objectives catalog, finding improved but still insufficient coverage.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed mapping and comparison of the MCM curriculum against the updated NKLM 2.0 learning objectives.

## Key findings

- 11,879 matches were found between MCM learning objectives and NKLM 2.0 items.
- Coverage of NKLM 2.0 by MCM increased to 52% from 41% for NKLM 1.0.
- Some chapters showed significant coverage changes, both increases and decreases.

## Abstract

The National Competence-Based Catalogue of Learning Objectives (NKLM) aims to set standards for undergraduate medical education programs in Germany. The NKLM 2.0 is currently under revision, and medical faculties have been invited to evaluate this version. This study maps the learning objectives of the Modular Curriculum of Medicine (MCM) of the Charité Berlin to the NKLM 2.0 items using approaches based to those of a previous mapping of NKLM 1.0 to allow comparison.

A two-step process was used to determine coverage. First, the MCM learning objectives were mapped to the NKLM 2.0 items using the LOOOP curriculum management platform. Next, the degree of coverage of the NKLM 2.0 by the MCM was calculated via three quantitative approaches and one qualitative approach (content comparison). Finally, the results of NKLM 2.0 coverage were compared with the results of the previous NKLM 1.0 mapping.

The mapping process identified 11,879 matches between 4,396 MCM learning objectives and 2,813 NKLM 2.0 items. The degree of NKLM 2.0 coverage, based on a content comparison approach increased to 52% compared with 41% for the NKLM 1.0. While some NKLM 2.0 chapters showed considerable increases (VII +25%, VIII +20%), others showed relevant decreases (V -8%, VI -8%).

The coverage of the NKLM 2.0 by MCM learning objectives has improved compared with the NKLM 1.0. However, the low level of coverage by the MCM of only 52% indicates that the content of future revisions of the NKLM needs to be reduced considerably; otherwise, the content cannot feasibly be taught and learned within the regulatory framework for undergraduate medical education in Germany.