Evolving General Practice/Family Medicine Curricula: A literature review and discussion paper
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Background General Practice (GP) or Family Medicine has evolved into a critical discipline in undergraduate medical education, reflecting the rising demand for community-based, patient-centered care. This review explores current GP curriculum models globally and identifies practical strategies for developing and updating curricula to meet evolving healthcare needs. Methods A comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, ERIC and Google Scholar was conducted, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for article selection and assessment, to identify core themes, educational principles, and innovative approaches to curriculum design and delivery in GP education from 2005 to 2025. Results The review identified five key themes in current GP curricula: 1. core competencies (patient-centered care, problem-solving, holistic care, and interprofessional collaboration), 2. targeted regional needs (rural health, marginalized populations, and climate health), 3. clinical placements (early exposure and community-based placements), 4. educational strategies (blended learning, case-based, and interprofessional education), and 5. teaching and student support (faculty development, infrastructure, and student services). Conclusion This review highlights essential elements for responsive, evidence-informed GP curricula and suggests ways clinical educators can align teaching practices with evolving community health priorities. Ensuring structured clinical placements and addressing underserved populations are critical to preparing future ready general practitioners.
