ABSTRACT
Background In the context of (the corona pandemic induced) challenges, which physicians in further training (DIT) faced in the first phase of the corona pandemic, the Competence Centre for Further Training in General Practice Saxony (KWASa) developed a survey on the handling of information on the corona virus perceived at that time. The survey focused on the evaluation of formal and informal information provision on prevention in primary care, diagnostics and therapy of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the DITs rated the quality of information and institutional support. Methods An online survey was conducted during 05/05/2020 to 04/06/2020 among the DITs registered in the KWASa since 2018. The questionnaire consisted of standardized elements, which were analyzed descriptively, and open items with free-text answers, which were analyzed according to the principle of qualitative content analysis. Results The results show that the DITs received little external support and mostly had to resort to their own information research. Only 26 % of the respondents stated that they had received active support in the form of information. The information carriers were assessed in terms of active dissemination of information and the quality of information. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and specialist journals were rated as most helpful. The results of the free-text answers show the high demand for information in such a pandemic situation. The lack of information on topics such as prevention, education on the effects on everyday life, study com-parisons and training based on case studies was criticized several times. A corresponding need for support was articulated. Conclusions Based on this study, the support needs of DITs in crisis situations such as the corona pandemic were identified. The results of the survey can be used to develop suitable further training programs for DITs.