gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The German Association for Medical Education (Gesellschaft für Medizinische Ausbildung GMA) published in 2005 a position paper with recommendations on ‘Medical Education and the Bologna Process’ written by its Committee for ‘Study Reform in the European Higher Education Area’. This careful analysis was widely discussed in the German speaking area of Europe. In succession, a new committee was established to work on the Bologna reform

The Bologna-Process: The Bologna Process offers a chance for the reform and modernisation of medical curricula. All activities should be critically monitored if they are in line with this chance. The GMA participates in this process and will support activities to improve medical education in Europe.

The implementation of the 2-cycle system in medical education in Switzerland gives the chance to learn from mistakes and to build on the positive aspects of the Bologna reform in Germany. Experiences from other European countries will add to this ongoing process.

Committee for Study Reform in the European Higher Education Area: The committee’s resent work is done on the following topics:

• Collection of material to support activities within medical faculties.
• Clarification of the regulatory framework for the implementation of the 2-cycle system in Germany.
• Identification and description of the expenses needed for implementation of the Bachelor/Master structure.
• Modularisation and the growing examination burden - a necessity?
• Mobility and collaboration.
• Follow-up of Bachelor graduates.
• Structure of the quality assurance process.

Conclusions: More than 20 people from 15 different German speaking Medical Faculties are working on the various topics of the Bologna Process. The structure of the GMA facilitates an open dialogue where ideas are shared and can be learned from first-line experiences with the implementation of Bologna reforms.