Best Practice: Medical Training From an International Perspective

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Primary Care Workforce Development
• Health Systems Analysis

Background:

• Shortages of primary care physicians are a growing concern in many high-income countries.
• Existing medical education and training systems may not adequately prepare doctors for primary or ambulatory care roles.
• Germany is seeking to reform its medical education system to address future healthcare demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore innovative approaches in medical education and training for primary care in selected high-income countries.
• To identify potential strategies for Germany to address primary care physician shortages through educational reform.
• To provide insights for decision-makers and practitioners involved in medical workforce planning.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory analysis of medical education and training systems in England, France, and the Netherlands.
• Comparative analysis including Germany.
• Data collection through a review of published and grey literature.
• Information gathering from key informants in the selected countries.

Main Results:

• Detailed descriptions of the general context and educational pathways for general practice in the four countries.
• Identification of specific reform activities and their impact on primary care training.
• Comparative insights into how different countries address challenges in primary care workforce development through education.

Conclusions:

• The study offers actionable options for enhancing medical education and training in Germany's primary care sector.
• Findings are contextualized within ongoing reform activities in Germany.
• The research aims to support the development of a primary care workforce prepared for evolving healthcare needs.