"Landpartie 2.0" - Conceptual development and implementation of a longitudinal priority program to promote family medicine in rural areas.

Objective: This article reports on the conceptual development and subsequent implementation of a targeted and attractive general practice teaching program in a rural area for students of human medicine at the medical faculty of Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main. Project description: Since the 2016/2017 winter semester, usually up to 15 interested students a year have had the opportunity to participate in the longitudinal priority program "Landpartie 2.0". The program runs for six semesters during the clinical stage of medical studies and consists of regular internships during which the students receive one-to-one support in a family practice, and participate in a series of seminars and an annual one-day excursion. The aim is to enable students, early on in their studies and without any obligations, to gain uninterrupted experience of providing patient care, and to find out what it means to pursue a career in family medicine. Results: Since the beginning of the annual program, 62 students have been included in it. The initial results show that the different elements of the program fulfil the expectations and requirements of participants and that their overall level of satisfaction is high. Almost 95% of students reported that they felt their knowledge had increased as a result of the internships, and they rated them as a useful part of their medical education. Despite the rural focus of the program, around half of the participants were of urban origin. Conclusion: The "Landpartie 2.0" provides students with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with family health care in a rural area. Further studies should investigate to what extent the program encourages students to continue their training with a view to pursuing a career in family medicine.

The "practice track" - How can teaching content related to outpatient healthcare be integrated into medical studies? Learning objectives, conception and implementation of a specialized voluntary program.

The "practice track" (PAT) at Goethe University Frankfurt provides students with the opportunity to focus on outpatient care during their medical studies. The aim of this article is to describe the objectives, conception and implementation of the program. At the Institute of General Practice, a new teaching concept has been developed in cooperation with the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Medicine at Goethe University and further partners. Medical students generally receive their training in highly specialized hospitals. However, the new concept will allow them to gain a practical insight into the outpatient care provided by physicians in private practice during their medical studies. Every year, 15 interested students will be able to participate in the longitudinal program, which includes internships, seminars and mentoring sessions. In the three current PAT cohorts, all 45 places have been taken up, and the first cohort has now completed the program. In addition to practical skills in the disciplines of family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, gynecology and pediatrics, it has been possible to show students the full scope of ambulatory health care. However, legal limitations to the implementation of the program in registered medical practices have meant that some parts of it could only be carried out voluntarily. Against the background of the current and future situation in health care, it makes sense that registered physicians in private practice should teach medical students about outpatient care during their medical studies. In order to establish such programs and permit their complete integration into the medical curriculum, it is essential that the necessary changes are made to medical licensing regulations.

What influence do courses at medical school and personal experience have on interest in practicing family medicine? - Results of a student survey in Hessia.

Aim: Against the background of an impending shortage of family practitioners, it is important to investigate the factors influencing the choice to become one. The aim of this study was to identify factors that encourage medical students to choose to practice family medicine. Method: Using a questionnaire, students in the fourth and fifth years of their studies in the Federal State of Hesse were asked about the factors that had influenced their choice of medical specialty and their experience of courses in family medicine. Predictors of an interest in practicing family medicine were calculated using multiple logistic regression. Results: 361 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 70.9%. Confirmation of personal strengths, an interest in the field, and practical experience of the subject generally turned out to be important factors influencing the choice of medical specialty. 49.3% of students expressed an interest in practicing family medicine. A link existed between an interest in working as a family doctor and the opportunity to take over an existing practice, experience of medicine in rural areas, and an appreciation of the conditions of work. With regard to education at medical school, positive experiences during a clinical traineeship in family medicine and positive role models among teachers of general practice were identified as predictors. Conclusion: Almost half the medical students were open to the idea of practicing family medicine. Experience of medicine in rural areas and positive experiences of courses in general practice were linked to an increased interest in working as a family doctor. To promote this interest, it may be a promising approach to increase opportunities to collect experience of medicine in rural areas, and to encourage highly motivated teaching practices.

How can General Practice be incorporated longitudinally in medical studies? Students' views on the development of a new rural health program.

Aim: Participation of medical students in the conceptual development of targeted and attractive teaching content for rural areas. Method: A questionnaire was developed to gather information on students' views of their current medical studies, career interests, and what requirements should be met by an optional rural health program in general practice. By means of an online survey in summer 2015, all medical students from the fourth preclinical semester onwards (n=2,150) at Goethe University Frankfurt were surveyed on one occasion. Statistical analysis was mainly descriptive. Personal attitudes towards a career as a family practitioner were examined for statistical significance. Further information was gathered on whether a measurable correlation exists between personal background and desired work location. Results: Of the 2,150 students that were contacted, 617 participated in the survey (response rate=28.7%). The results covered a wide range of ideas and recommendations and were representative both of medical students with a positive attitude toward general practice, as well as those that were rather critical of teaching in general practice. The students expected the planned health program to be of strong practical relevance and to acquaint them with the administrative and economic aspects of running a practice. Conclusions: By including the target group in the development process, it was possible to tailor the health program to meet the needs of future participants more precisely. Student participation can also be expected to result in greater acceptance of the program. The results on teaching content may also provide other medical faculties with orientation when developing comparable programs.