[The practical training of medical students in General Medicine: Important characteristics of teaching practices]

Comprehensive general medical care is endangered by the socio-demographic development of the population as well as by recruitment problems in general medicine. Medical students' interest in general medicine increases if they experience their internships positively. However, the characteristics of teaching practice important to medical students have not been systematically investigated.

We conducted four focus groups with a total of 22 students. The group discussions were recorded, transcribed, and evaluated by means of qualitative content analysis.

Students who rated their internship positively also expressed greater interest in becoming a family doctor. Variables that mattered to students were: Instruction and supervision by the owner's teaching practice and feedback behavior, being treated with respect, opportunity to work independently, the broad spectrum of diseases and the varied daily work when working as a family doctor, long-standing doctor-patient relationships, and good work-life balance. Variables that decreased students' interest in becoming a family doctor were the economic risk of starting a business, and being self-employed, referring patients to specialists for "interesting findings" and a poor work-life balance.

The practical training of medical students in teaching practices has the potential to increase students' interest in working as a family doctor. This requires motivated teaching practice owners, who give students a positive insight into everyday practice.