Vertical integration of biochemistry: The interdisciplinary spiral curriculum in the Brandenburg reformed medical study programme.

Objective: A key recommendation for further improvement of undergraduate medical education is vertical integration, in particular the close connection of basic medical science and clinical learning content. The project described here aimed to develop and implement an interdisciplinary spiral curriculum for biochemistry, which has its own subject systematics, is integrated into the organ- and topic-related modules of the Brandenburg reformed medical study programme and exploits learning theory-based benefits of vertical integration. This project report provides a specific implementation example for practitioners. Methodology: Curriculum development took place in an interdisciplinary process. Learning success was analysed comparatively using the Progress Test Medicine, and student perception was evaluated using a questionnaire. Results: The spiral curriculum for biochemistry is fully integrated into a Z-curriculum, both across the entire length of the study programme as well as at the level of modules, modules' learning objectives, weekly topics and interdisciplinary classes. Exemplary mapping with the NKLM and the national catalogue of exam-relevant topics, comparable learning success with other universities and student evaluations confirm the intended subject systematics, the high degree of vertical integration and its positive evaluation, e.g. in terms of relevance of learning content and deep learning. According to level 9 of Harden's integration ladder, the biochemical subject identity has been retained, but subject autonomy has been largely abandoned. Conclusion: The spiral curriculum for biochemistry implements key recommendations for further improvement of undergraduate medical education, demonstrates the successful application of the principles of vertical integration and confirms the opportunities associated with its use.