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Objective: The model curriculum HannibaL (Hannoversche integrierter berufsorientierter und adaptiver Lehrplan) differs significantly from other medical study programs in Germany in terms of its structure with which, among other factors, the Hannover Medical School (MHH) saw an opportunity to positively influence the length of study. We investigate how the length of medical study is influenced by the curriculum's structure and whether this has any impact on academic success. Methods: We use data from over 2,500 students who studied medicine at MHH between 2011 and 2021. We measure study time as the number of years which pass until completion of the respective study phases and academic success as the grades achieved on final exams. Results: Since they more often fail or postpone exams, students admitted based on special quotas (VQ) or a waiting list (WQ) need significantly more time to complete the first study phase (M1) compared to students who were admitted based on a selection process (AdH) or who belong to the "best school graduates" quota (AQ) because they earned the highest scores on the final secondary school exam. Yet, students from all admission groups reach the written state exam (M2) almost simultaneously. In HannibaL, WQ and VQ manage to catch up on delays from M1 with no negative impact on success in M2. In general, however, VQ and WQ achieve lower grades and drop out more often than students from AQ and AdH. Discussion: In the regular curriculum, students can only proceed with their studies once M1 has been entirely completed. HannibaL, on the other hand, allows for the catching up of delays from the first two years of study by integrating both study phases. The curricular structure thus accommodates students with lower academic performance who accumulate delays early on in their studies. By contrast, delays in the AQ and AdH groups arise during the second phase of study (M2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the aims of the German student selection network (Studierendenauswahl-Verbund, stav) is to review existing procedures for selecting medical students and to relate their effectiveness to students' career aspirations as well as to their further careers. Against the background of changes in the selection procedures and the introduction of the rural doctor quota (Landarztquote), the study conducted here aims at contributing to the current discussion on the future of GP (general practitioners) care, especially in rural areas. Methods: In 2019 and 2020, the stav conducted a German nationwide online survey among medical students towards the end of their "Practical Year" (Praktisches Jahr, final-year medical students in practical training). The associations between selection parameters and students' interest in later working as a GP as well as students' preference to later work in a place with a low population density were investigated. Furthermore, socio-demographic variables and variables related to medical studies were taken into account. Statistical comparisons were carried out using Chi2- and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: A total of 1,055 students in their Practical Year (65.4% female, 27 years) completed the survey. As their final professional position, 12.1% aspired to own a GP practice or work as employed GP after completing medical specialist training in general medicine (interested students: 9.9%) or general internal medicine (interested students: 9.5%). Compared to their fellow students, those interested in working as a GP had been more often admitted to medical school via the waiting time quota and had more often already completed vocational training in a medical-related field. 39.1% of those interested in working as a GP wanted to work in a place with a low population density. Coming from a place with a low population density as well as completing the medical internship (Famulatur) for GP care in such a place turned out to be positive influencing factors. Discussion: The observed associations between waiting time quota and interest in working as a GP as well as between origin from a place with a low population density and preferring to later work in such a place go hand in hand with changes in the access regulations for medical studies, which concern both the waiting time quota (abolition of the latter) and a regulation of the number of rural doctors (rural doctor quota). In order to evaluate the current changes in the access regulations for medical studies, longitudinal studies are desirable that cover the time from the application to study up to the medical specialist examination and further career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: For the selection of students for the winter semester 2020/21, the established selection procedure of the University of Witten/Herdecke (UW/H) was adapted to the virtual space in view of the current contact ban and recommended keeping of distance. The three stations in the second step of the procedure, the biographical one-on-one interview, presentation and discussion on a subject-specific topic as well as multiple mini interviews (MMI) on the social skills of the applicants were audiovisual and in real time in zoom meetings. Project description: The medical, psychological and student reviewers were prepared for the virtual selection procedure in training sessions. Three weeks before the selection days, the applicants received information on the technical requirements for the interviews and on data protection for the persons affected by the collection of personal data. The evaluation of the virtual selection procedure was carried out by the reviewers using an online questionnaire with 8 socio-demographic, 5 organizational, 8 content and 3 open questions. Results: The 108 reviewers conducted selection interviews in tandems (medical/psychological and student reviewers) with 178 applicants for human medicine and 105 applicants for psychology. The online evaluation by 58 reviewers (response rate 53.7%) showed a positive agreement with the virtual selection procedure, with a more favorable assessment of organization and content by the medical and psychological reviewers compared to the student reviewers. Discussion: The adequate adaptation of the selection procedure of the UW/H to the virtual zoom room as well as its acceptance are confirmed by the successful execution of the selection days for the students for the winter semester 2020/21 and the evaluation of the reviewers. Conclusion: The results and analysis of this exceptional situation will be used to also conduct the upcoming selection procedure for the summer semester 2021 in the virtual space. A valid assessment for the future use of a virtual selection procedure as a possible supplement to the personal selection interviews at the University of Witten/Herdecke remains to be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the increase in the number of graduates in Human Medicine, it has been predicted that there will not only be a shortage of doctors, but also a shortage of specialists in Germany for the years to come. At the same time there are only a few studies on the factors that influence medical students in their decision to select a specialty. Against this background, a study was conducted at the Medical Faculty in Rostock, to investigate the criteria for deciding on a later field of specialty. Methods: Conducting focus groups of four to seven participants of each year of study, criteria were determined which seemed relevant to the students during their selection of their specialty field. The interviews were transcribed and the answers of the participants classified in super categories. With the data obtained a questionnaire was prepared and sent electronically to all students of Human Medicine. Via exploratory factor analysis important criteria and their correlations were determined. Results: A total of 421 students took part in the questionnaire (31.4% return) and indicated their own clinical experience, but also patient contact and work-life-balance as important criteria for a future selection of specialty field. 44.8% of the participants had already made their choice of specialty at the time of the query, and this for the most part took place in the clinical study phase and most often for the subjects Internal Medicine (15.3%), General Medicine (14.2%), Pediatrics (12.0%) and Surgery (11.5%). For those students who already had made a decision, the size and complexity of the field as well as the opportunity to be able to build relationships with patients, were decisive for selection. Those still undecided indicated that for their choice of specialty family friendliness of the field, leisure time and esteem from others were important. Conclusions: Our results show that the personal clinical experience can be a decisive influential factor for future specialty selection. Early contact with the different disciplines could therefore be structured as an aid to help in the decision making, in order to break down any apprehensions and to stop a pending deficiency in specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brandenburg Medical School "Theodor Fontane" (MHB) was founded in 2014 by municipal and non-profit institutions in Bernau, Brandenburg an der Havel and Neuruppin to train more physicians for the non-metropolitan region of Brandenburg. Since the 2015 summer term, 48 medical students have been enrolled each year, accepted through the university's own selection process in which the score on the German school-leaving exam (Abitur) and time spent on the waiting list play subordinate roles. Tuition fees can be partially financed through scholarship agreements with regional hospitals if the applicants commit themselves to medical specialist training (Facharztweiterbildung) at a particular hospital. The main places of study are Neuruppin and Brandenburg an der Havel; there is a decentralized study phase from the eighth to tenth semester of study. The Brandenburg Reformed Medical Curriculum (BMM) complies with the model clause contained in the German regulations governing the licensing of medical doctors (ÄAppO). The curriculum is based on problem-based learning (PBL) and focused on competencies and consists of integrated interdisciplinary modules that combine, from the very beginning, basic sciences with clinical and theoretical medical subjects. The focus on general practice is visible in the regularly held "Practical Days" (Praxistag) during which second-year students and above have the opportunity to observe at participating medical practices and familiarize themselves with primary care in Brandenburg. A special focus of BMM is on the acquisition and development of communication and interpersonal skills. These are imparted through a longitudinal curriculum referred to as "Teamwork, Reflection, Interaction, Communication" (TRIK). High value is placed on critical thinking and scientific scholarship and this is reflected in an eight-week academic placement in which the students independently write a research paper. Several different teaching formats ensure that, along with learning specific subjects, sustained personal development can also take place. BMM's decentralized study phase starting in the eighth semester represents a special part of the curriculum in which students complete their clinical training in small groups at selected cooperating hospitals in Brandenburg. This phase encompasses not only hospital placements and other local patient-centered courses, but also centralized instruction via video conferencing to assure that basic sciences and clinical theory continue to be covered. Knowledge- and performance-based semester assessments, in particular OSCEs, reinforce the practical aspects of the training. These replace the M1 state medical examination in the first study phase. The first medical students are now in their ninth semester as of April 2019, making it still too early for final evaluations. The curriculum, successfully implemented to date, already satisfies core requirements of the Master Plan 2020 for undergraduate medical education (Masterplan Medizinstudium 2020) with the curriculum's organization and structure, curricular content, assessment formats and student admission process. With its decentralized structure, BMM specifically addresses the social and health policy challenges facing rural regions of Brandenburg. This is the first curriculum that has taken on the improvement of healthcare in rural regions as its central aim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The concept of perfectionism comprises high standards of performance as needed in medicine, but also concerns about making mistakes and dealing with social reactions about not being perfect. Perfectionism is associated with motivation and deep learning strategies but high expression of perfectionism has been found to be associated with symptoms of stress and anxiety in students. We aim to gain insights into the longitudinal development of different dimensions of perfectionism in medical students with respect to their way of medical school admission. Methods: At the Medical Faculty of Hamburg University, 167 undergraduate medical students completed validated questionnaires (MPS-H and MPS-F) of different dimensions of perfectionism and sociodemographic data including medical school admission procedures, personality traits (BSI-10 and GSE), and symptoms of depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) at the start of their first year and at half term of their second year. Results: On average, after controlling for baseline and age, a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in Self-Oriented Perfectionism was found during the first two years in students who were admitted after a waiting period (M: -12.57; 95% CI: [-21.94 - -3.35]), by other ways of medical school entrance (M: -6.36; 95% CI: [-12.71 - -0.02]), by multiple mini-interviews (HAM-Int) (M: -5.52; 95% CI: [-9.90 - -1.14]), and by a natural science test (HAM-Nat) (M: -3.41; 95% CI: [-6.71 - -0.11]. Waiting period students also showed a significant longitudinal decline in the scale Personal Standards (M: -4.62; 95% CI: [-8.04 - -1.21]. Conclusions: Since medical students from all admission groups except from the high school degree group showed a significant longitudinal decrease in Self-Oriented Perfectionism, high levels of aspects of perfectionism associated with intrinsic motivation or deep learning strategies could be included medical school admission processes. Additionally, particular attention needs to be paid not to induce a loss of intrinsic motivation or deep learning strategies during undergraduate medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Graduation rates among medical students who have been admitted to medical school from the waiting list quota are significantly lower than those for medical students who are directly admitted on the basis of their competitive secondary school academic record or through the universities' selection process. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors that can predict a longer length of study or dropping out and potential resilience factors predictive of timely and successful graduation. Method: First, students admitted from the waiting list were asked in qualitative interviews at the beginning of their studies about risk factors connected with dropping out. These students were then followed until completion of the first state medical exam, or at least until the end of their fourth semester. In parallel, personality traits were measured using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory according to Costa and McCrae (NEO-FFI). Successful study was defined as a length of study time lasting four semesters before taking the first section of the state medical exam (Physikum). Serving as indicators for students at risk were a prolonged period of study and dropping out before taking the first state medical examination. Finally, the factors associated with successful study were identified. Results: Students from the waiting list who displayed a stronger than average conscientiousness in their personality and stated being underchallenged in their prior (medicine-related) occupation as the motivation for studying medicine were significantly more often successful than students from the waiting list who displayed a less pronounced conscientious personality and named dissatisfaction with their previous occupation as their motivation to pursue medical study. In addition, successful students were often distinguished by ambition and reported placing high academic demands on themselves. Early failures on exams were found to be predictive of an uncertain course of study at Rostock Medical School. Conclusions: The reason for studying medicine and an ambitious personality appear to be basic predictors of study success and could therefore be considered not only as a selection criterion for admission, but also monitored during the course of study as a predictive marker for prolonged study or drop-out. Regardless how students are selected for admission, medical schools should take a closer look at the academic performance of the enrolled students to identify at-risk students who are failing exams early in the course of study and to adequately advise them on course scheduling, motivation and exam preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]