Using a structured approach to categorise pharmacological knowledge an
d a systemic analysis of prescribing practice, we identified the knowl
edge needed to optimally prescribe and manage treatments with drugs. T
he approach consisted in finding the branched chains of knowledge begi
nning with each operation required to solve each problem which arises
in prescribing and managing drugs at the most elementary level. This e
lementary knowledge is then transformed into educational objectives. T
he next step is to share the educational objectives between basic medi
cal training, continuing medical education and acquisition of therapeu
tic knowledge. The method could be applied in other medical teaching d
omains.