Rating of SPICES criteria to evaluate and compare curricula.

SPICES criteria (Student-centred, Problem-based, Integrated, Community-based, Electives, Systematic) are used to describe educational strategies applied in medical schools. Application of SPICES criteria often can be just a statement since various forms of teaching with large variations are incorporated in a curriculum. In this paper a system of rating SPICES criteria is presented in which also quantitative aspects (in respect of hours of scheduling of the various educational strategies) are considered. Application of this system provides a score on application of SPICES criteria for the curriculum as whole. In addition, comparison of various curricula can be done in a more objective manner.