INTEGRATING COMPETENCY-BASED MEDICAL EDUCATION INTO UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL CURRICULA: STRATEGIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

161 Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) represents a paradigm shift in medical training, emphasizing the achievement of clearly defined competencies rather than focusing solely on time-based training.This approach aligns with the growing global demand for accountability, transparency, and quality assurance in healthcare education.CBME prioritizes skills, knowledge, and professional behaviors that are essential for patient-centered care, addressing the evolving needs of healthcare systems.Furthermore, its emphasis on personalized learning pathways ensures that students progress at their own pace, depending on their mastery of competencies.While CBME has been successfully integrated into postgraduate programs, its application at the undergraduate level remains inconsistent due to structural, curricular, and cultural barriers.These challenges include misalignment between educational objectives, teaching strategies, and assessment methods.Effective CBME integration requires a comprehensive approach that includes curricular redesign, faculty development, and institutional support.This paper explores the theoretical foundations of CBME, its integration models, pedagogical strategies, and assessment frameworks, with a focus on addressing implementation challenges.Keys to successful CBME implementation are the development of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), formative assessment tools, and the continuous professional development of faculty.Despite its promise, several unresolved issues remain, including the lack of validated assessment tools for early-stage medical learners and the need for longitudinal studies to assess the impact of CBME on clinical performance and professional identity development.The paper concludes with recommendations for further research and adaptive frameworks that can support sustainable CBME integration across diverse educational contexts.The ongoing evolution of CBME offers significant potential for shaping the future of healthcare professionals.This transformation is particularly promising in fostering innovation, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultivating competencies essential for addressing the complexities of global health challenges.