The ADMSEP milestones project

Objective: Credentialing bodies mandate that a medical school's curriculum be based upon recognized guidelines. Within the field of psychiatry, the Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP) has previously published recommended guidelines for the preclinical and clerkship curriculum. Ongoing changes within the Liaison Committee on Medical Education's requirements for medical school curricula, and the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, necessitated review of these guidelines. Methods: ADMSEP convened a task force of psychiatric educators to develop a consensus report outlining new guidelines. The ADMSEP membership reviewed and approved this final document. Results: The guidelines outline six core learning objectives with corresponding competencies. Each of these competencies specifies accompanying milestones to be achieved through the course of medical school. Conclusions: ADMSEP believes these guidelines will aid educators in crafting a school's psychiatric curriculum. Clearly articulated milestones may foster the further development of validated educational and assessment tools by ADMSEP and other organizations.