[Study of the obligatory medical aptitude test of apprentices in Basel-Stadt canton]

A project in the framework of the National Research Programme on Efficiency in Health care investigates the effects of the medical aptitude examinations, which are -- unique in Switzerland -- legally prescribed in the canton of Basle-Ville since 1972. It will examine relevance and efficacy and suggests possible improvements. Sources for the collection of retrospective data and characteristics of the study population are described. All people beginning their apprenticeship 1973-1977, a total of 11,995, have been included in the study because discontinuing an apprenticeship for health reasons is thought to be rather rare and only one fourth of those who did not complete their apprenticeship were ready to give detailed information. 7% of these respondents explained their drop-out with health reason. Further analyses will help to decide if this result is likely to be true also for the nonrespondents.