From single course to comprehensive programme: Experiences developing and establishing an Office for Medical...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Faculty Development

Background:

• Frankfurt University Medical School offered individual medical education courses since 2002.
• A comprehensive, structured program was established in 2011, housed within the Medical School as the Frankfurter Arbeitsstelle für Medizindidaktik (FAM).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a structured medical education program for faculty.
• To identify critical factors for the successful establishment of a medical education program.

Main Methods:

• Leveraging existing programs from other German states (Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia).
• Securing support from Deans of Studies and integrating attendance rules into university regulations.
• Establishing a core curriculum for new faculty and a modular design for specialized learning.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation was facilitated by external models, institutional support, regulatory integration, and faculty interest.
• The program features a mandatory basic course for all new faculty and a modular structure for tailored learning.
• Despite being largely mandatory, the program achieved high participant satisfaction and demonstrated lasting knowledge acquisition.

Conclusions:

• The structured medical education program at Frankfurt University Medical School, FAM, has been successfully implemented.
• Key factors contributing to success include institutional support, regulatory frameworks, and faculty engagement.
• The program effectively enhances faculty teaching skills, leading to positive outcomes in medical education.