[Development of the situation of doctoral students in medicine: Results of two surveys at an interval of ten years (2001 and 2011)].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The topic medical dissertation is often discussed controversially without quantitative data in Germany. The aim of this survey was to analyze the situation of doctoral students in medicine again after ten years.

METHODS

Students at Charité - Berlin in their 11th to 14th semester completed an online survey about the progress and the support of their dissertations (n = 1081). The questionnaire included current and aborted dissertations.

RESULTS

The present evaluation had almost the same percentage of respondents (28 %) as in 2001 (31 %) and showed improvements in the preparation for scientific work by curricular courses (p < 0.001). 51 % were aware of the principles of good scientific practice in 2011, which was five times more than in 2001 (10 %, p < 0.001). The knowledge of the doctoral topics catalogue doubled in the same time (from 40 % to 81 %, p < 0.001). In addition the participants of the Charité graduate program felt better prepared for scientific work (p < 0.001). One third still criticized the insufficient funds for their doctoral projects. Another request was better training in statistics because 50 % received no statistical support during the pursue of their thesis.

CONCLUSION

The graduate program at Charité has been making a significant contribution towards improved preparation for scientific work and medical dissertations. However, there are still improvements necessary such as better financial support and statistical preparation of medical dissertations.