[How does a patient-centered, future-oriented medical curriculum look like? The patients' view].

AIM OF THE STUDY

Medical training in Germany is in a state of flux. Medical education must be adapted to fit the changing health care needs of future societies. This study aims to gain the patients' perspective on the education of medical students to improve future curricula.

METHODOLOGY

Using a semi-structured interview guide, 17 interviews were conducted with patients undergoing inpatient (N=9) or outpatient (N=8) medical treatment. The interviews were subjected to computer-assisted analysis guided by Grounded Theory.

RESULTS

480 codings were condensed into seven main categories: Science Fiction Medicine, Society and the Patient, Professional Environment and Health Care System, Medical Curriculum and Continuing Education, Value System and Motivation, Psychosocial Competence and Medical Professional Competence. The largest main categories are Psychosocial Competence (114 codings) and Professional Environment and Health Care System (105 codings).

CONCLUSION

There is a need for psychosocial education in addition to medical knowledge. A future-focused curriculum should entail practice-oriented education to ensure the training of motivated physicians who possess strengthened digital skills and act on ethical principles and values. Assessment of the patients' perspective should play a crucial role in medical education research.