The new innovative medical education system in Ethiopia: Background and development

Background: A New Innovative Medical Education Initiative (NIMEI) had been launched in Ethiopia in February 2012 and the training of medical doctors using a new approach and curriculum initiated. Currently training is being conducted in ten universities and three hospitals across the country, all of whom have teaching hospitals, health centers and community attachment sites. The NIMEI curriculum is different from the existing curriculum in terms of uptake of students, years of education and is competency based and integrated Objective: The objective of this review is to give the background and objectives for introducing the NIMEI in Ethiopia. It also outlines the detailed process for developing the curriculum as well as for organizing the required system for initiating the training within the new initiative. Methods: Review and description of the background and process of developing a new innovative medical curriculum in Ethiopia through comparisons of experiences of similar undertaking from the literature. Results: The objectives, rationale as well as the approach and methodology used to develop the curriculum are outlined. The processes involved in the implementation and the initial appraisal of the developed curriculum was also discussed. Conclusion: In conclusion, this review highlights the possible impact of the NIMEI on the human resources for health development as well as for the overall health system of the country.