Applying Van den Akker’s Spider Web Model to curriculum design in medical education: a practical guide

Contemporary medical education requires curriculum models that ensure coherence, alignment, and adaptability to rapid technological and societal changes. Van den Akker's Curricular Spider Web Model, a well-established framework in general education, has not yet been systematically applied in medical education. This conceptual paper, which employs conceptual framework analysis approach, presents the model's application as a guiding framework for curriculum design in undergraduate medical education. Rather than proposing a new theoretical model, this paper illustrates how the Spider Web can complement widely used frameworks such as Tyler's objectives-based model, Harden's SPICES framework, and Kern's Six-Step Approach. Sample applications of the model are presented at nano, micro, and meso levels, with specific attention to the integration of artificial intelligence in the curriculum. The applications indicate that the Spider Web Model provides a comprehensive and flexible structure that can guide curriculum development in medical education by promoting coherence, alignment, and stakeholder engagement. The proposed framework offers practical guidance for curriculum designers, medical educators, and academic leaders, supporting the alignment of curriculum components across nano, micro, and meso levels. It is particularly useful in contexts requiring integration of emerging domains, such as artificial intelligence, into existing curricula, facilitating coherent and adaptable curriculum development Future empirical research is needed to examine its implementation and impact on educational outcomes.