Do we teach what we preach? Comparing the content of a problem-based medical curriculum with primary health care data.

The content of a problem-based medical curriculum has been analysed with reference to educational and medical characteristics. The data have been compared with primary health care data obtained from the Registration Network Family Practices, a computerized health information system in the southern part of the Netherlands. The analysis reveals differences between curriculum and health care data on several aspects such as reasons for encounter/complaints, problems/diagnoses, chronic diseases, health problems of children and referrals to specialists. Although the analysed material reflects only part of the curriculum, it can be concluded that the primary care orientation of the curriculum is meagre and that a critical review of the patient cases used in the problem-based curriculum is needed.