[How do young physicians assess their medical studies in retrospect? Results of a medical graduates' survey in Germany].

OBJECTIVE

German medical graduates were asked to assess their medical studies in retrospect after their final academic exam. The survey's findings should provide clues for improvements in medical teaching.

METHOD

Between April 2002 and December 2002 n = 671 medical graduates from 7 Universities in Germany were interviewed. By means of a questionnaire the subjects were asked to specify their study motivation and occupational aims; furthermore they were required to give a retrospective assessment of their medical studies.

FINDINGS

The main motive for the decision to study medicine and to be a doctor is the desire to work with people and to be helpful to them. Regarding their occupational aims, most graduates wish to be a medical specialist, especially an internist or a general practitioner. As to the medical teaching, the subjects of the clinical study period are considered much more relevant for the future professional practice than the subjects of the pre-clinical study period. Much criticism focuses on the lack of practice-related medical teaching. The study participants judge the imparting of both practical and psycho-social skills as extremely deficient. Only 37.9 % of the young physicians feel well or very well prepared to future clinical tasks after their final academic exam.

DISCUSSION

The findings confirm that the medical curriculum should be reconsidered with greater emphasis on teaching more practical skills. Medical teaching should comprise training modules and methods that are more closely connected with clinical practice. In particular, basic skills training of doctor-patient relationship and problem-oriented classes should be implemented, integrating clinical and psychosocial aspects.