Design thinking as a methodology in the elaboration of a curricular structure proposal

Abstract

Introduction: The medical school curricular structure may vary according to the educational planning of each higher education institution (HEI). The viewpoint of the coordination and the medical school faculty is not always aligned with the students’ opinions. Thus, using a methodology to identify the students’ point of view would be essential. Design thinking (DT) is a process that proposes a search, in an empathetic, collaborative, and creative way, for solutions to complex problems. Objectives: To present DT as a methodology to identify how clinical internship students believe the curricular structure from the 1st to the 4th year of a São Paulo state medical school should be, by collecting suggestions and points that require a re-evaluation process of the current curricular structure. Methods: This is a qualitative assessment, which will use the DT model. Students were divided into three groups of five, and each group was committed to having a free discussion on its ideas concerning the curricular structure. Then, a panel was presented to each group, dividing the semesters from the 1st to the 4th year with post-it notes representing the current curricular structure of the medical school, and each group had one hour to reassemble the curricular structure as they deemed appropriate. Results: After the discussion stage, each group assembled its curricular structure. Some changes concerning the year in which the discipline was provided were proposed, and the inclusion of others. Most of the suggestions were considered valid and were incorporated into the curriculum. Conclusions: The DT methodology contributed to the identification of several demands regarding the curricular structure in an orderly, empathetic, and collaborative way, taking into account the students’ opinions. It is, therefore, a planning strategy able to evidence weaknesses and strengths of the curriculum that might not have been noticed by the use of other strategies.