[Modular postgraduate training in surgery - a national concept with future]
M Kadmon1, A Busemann, A Euteneier
1Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Heidelberg, Deutschland. Martina.Kadmon@med.uniheidelberg.de
Background:
The quality of postgraduate training is an important motivating factor for the career decisions of young doctors and has an impact on the satisfaction of postgraduate trainees. In Germany, we still lack a postgraduate training programme in surgery that defines the competency profile at the time of certification. This article describes the development of a national modular competency-based core curriculum for postgraduate surgery training as well as first experience and evaluation data from the initial period of implementation.
Methods:
The curriculum was developed in a group of highly motivated surgeons according to the "Kern-cycle", a conceptual framework for curriculum development in medicine, and includs considerations from the "CanMEDS"-competency framework for physicians. The curriculum follows a "blended learning" concept with modular attendance courses and associated preparatory online courses. The didactics follows the principles of adult learning and are characterised by learner-centred, self-directed learning processes in small groups with feedback. The initial implementation phase was accompanied by a detailed evaluation of the general concept as well as the quality of content and didactics of the attendance courses.
Results:
Seven of the planned 12 attendance courses have been designed, 6 courses have been implemented2q1. Altogether 562 participants from hospitals of all levels of patient care took part in the attendance courses, some of them in several courses. The gender distribution was almost balanced with a slight female surplus. The majority of participants were supported by their clinics through exemption from clinical work or financial sponsoring. 80 % of the participants completed the evaluation of the attendance courses. The data show a high degree of participant satisfaction with the content and didactic concept of the courses, as well as with the surrounding conditions and the commitment of the trainers.
Conclusions:
The evaluation data on the attendance courses implemented reveal a high acceptance among participants concerning the overall concept of the modular postgraduate training programme as well as the support of the programme by surgeons responsible for postgraduate training.
