gms | German Medical Science

Research in Medical Education – Chances and Challenges International Conference

20.05. - 22.05.2009, Heidelberg

Student and teacher perceptions of an undergraduate voluntary pediatric private-praxis-prevention project (PePP) at Heidelberg University

Meeting Abstract

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Research in Medical Education - Chances and Challenges 2009. Heidelberg, 20.-22.05.2009. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2009. Doc09rmeD4

doi: 10.3205/09rme19, urn:nbn:de:0183-09rme195

Published: May 5, 2009

© 2009 Fehr et al.
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Abstract

Question: How can educational opportunities meet communities requirements? In Germany most pediatricians work in private practice whereas medical education is currently carried out predominantly in tertiary care centers of Germany’s universities. To ameliorate for this mismatch our program was launched. During their first two years of medical studies Heidelberg students can opt to participate in a two year pediatric family partnership project parallel to their regular predominantly theoretical studies. After assignment to a newborn in a family with at least one other healthy child they are introduced to aspects of preventional Pediatrics by home visits and appointments in the pediatric practice with their family. Thus students have opportunities to learn about the national system of well child check-ups with hands-on experience in history taking and physical examination and to practice soft skills while interacting with the families.

Methods: By means of questionnaires the students and teacher perceptions of this project were assessed. This is contrasted by data form a randomized control group of students that could not participate in the project due to resource limitations. The eight tutorial meetings with university staff within the two years project duration are analyzed.

Results: Both students and teachers highly appreciated this project. Students gained knowledge, skills and attitudes in preventive Pediatrics and teachers appreciated the interaction with the students. The project was acknowledged to be highly effective.

Conclusions: The project we present was acknowledged to be a highly effective method of teaching preventional Pediatrics and thus meets our communities requirements [1].


References

1.
Emmrich P, Ogunlade V, Unger U. Demographische Untersuchung zur Vorstellung vom Arztbild und zur Studienmotivation unter Studenten der Medizin des ersten vorklinischen Semesters. Z Med Ethik. 2004;50:11-20.