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.

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.

[Primary and secondary data on dementia care as an example of regional health planning]. / Planung einer kleinräumigen Versorgung unter Nutzung von Primär- und Sekundärdaten am Beispiel von Demenzerkrankten.

BACKGROUND: Health service planning that takes into account as far as possible the regional needs and regional discrepancies is a controversial health issue in Germany. OBJECTIVES: In a pilot scheme, we tested a planning process for regional healthcare services, based on the example of dementia care. The aim of this article is to present the strengths and limitations of this planning process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed an indicator set for dementia care based on routine regional data obtained from two German statutory health insurance companies. Additionally, primary data based on a questionnaire sent to all GPs in the area were evaluated. These data were expanded through the addition of official socio-demographic population data. Procedures and evaluation strategies, discussion of the results and the derivation of planning measures followed, in close agreement with a group of local experts. RESULTS: Few epidemiological data on regional variations in health care planning are publicly available. Secondary data from statutory health insurance companies can be assessed to support the estimation of regional health care needs, but interpretation is difficult. The use of surveys to collect primary data, and the assessment of results by the local health board may facilitate interpretation and may contribute towards more valid statements regarding regional health planning. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limited availability of data and the considerable efforts involved in data analysis, the project demonstrates how needs-based health service planning can be carried out in a small region, taking into account the increasing demands of the local health care providers and the special local features.