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Background: The German healthcare sector is in the process of being disrupted by digitization. Universities are asked to reflect on the consequences and develop strategies to prepare their medical students for a digitalized health care sector. The current state of research does not systematically record the associated activities of individual medical faculties in Germany. Objective: This study was designed to survey the status-quo of how German medical faculties view the digitization progress and to what extend digital capability building is already integrated into the curricula.Methods: A questionnaire with three focus areas was developed: Firstly, the general view of the medical faculties on digitization; secondly, concrete measures to prepare students for digital change and thirdly, the overarching organizational and regulatory conditions. The data was collected through short, questionnaire-based telephone interviews among those responsible for the curriculum at their faculty. The datasets collected were anonymized and statistically evaluated. Results: 30 interviews were conducted. The majority of faculty representatives agreed that digitization will change the role of physicians (87% agreement). Changes caused by individual digitization trends were however viewed to be less likely, e.g., whether medical expertise will become less important due to digital assistance systems (20% agreement), whether physician positions will be replaced by robots and algorithms (7% agreement), or whether hierarchies in hospitals will flatten (13% agreement). Digitization was seen to be of major importance for medical studies (93% agreement). Associated content should be given a higher priority in the curriculum (87% agreement). Two-thirds of faculty representatives believed that overarching institutions such as politics and medical associations ought to have more concrete plans for implementing the digital transformation and that innovations should be implemented in practice faster.Conclusion: While most faculty representatives attach great importance to the digitization of the health care system for university education, various questions about structural teaching measures to prepare students for the digital change show that there is no uniform education of medical students for a digitized health care system. We were also able to show that most faculty representatives are dissatisfied with the regulatory and organizational conditions of digitization in the medical sector.

Objective: The purpose of formative examinations is that students and lecturers receive an early feedback regarding the success of learning behavior and teaching methods. These also serve as practice for later summative exams. The aim of this paper is to investigate to what extent the result of the formative MEQ* at the end of the first semester at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) in the study program human medicine can be used as a predictor for the summative MEQ-1 at the end of the second semester which is part of the equivalence examination replacing the state examination. Methodology: The predictive value of the score achieved in the MEQ* on the MEQ-1 score, as well as the potential influence of the variables gender, age, high school graduation grade (German Abiturnote), professional background, and self-efficacy expectancy, was determined for students of human medicine.Results: Data from two cohorts of UW/H with a total of 88 students were included. Scores on the formative MEQ* correlate with those on the summative MEQ-1 in both cohorts. In regression analyses, only the score on the MEQ* proves to be a significant predictor of performance on the MEQ-1 (40.5% variance explanation). Particularly significant predictors are the scores in the subjects anatomy and clinical reasoning. Vocational training or pre-study only appear to contribute to higher scores in the MEQ* after the first semester, but have no further significance in predicting scores in the MEQ-1. Conclusion: The MEQ* was confirmed to be a good predictor of the MEQ-1. Thus, it serves as a formative exam to inform students about their current state of knowledge with regard to the summative exam MEQ-1, so that they can adequately adapt their learning strategies in the course of the second semester.

Veterinarians have to face many communicative challenges in their professional capacity. Successful professional communication increases satisfaction among pet owners, staff members and colleagues, and ultimately also the veterinarians’ own satisfaction. On the other hand, unsuccessful communication can easily lead to rejection, distrust and dissatisfaction.However, communicative skills are not explicitly taught as part of the compulsory courses in veterinary medicine in Germany.The position paper of the GMA Veterinary Medicine Committee and the DVG work group Didactics and Communication Competence describes the importance of successful communication for working veterinarians as well as the training situation in Germany and addresses topics that are often discussed in connection with the implementation. The authors come to the conclusion that there is both a necessity and a possibility for the introduction of communicative training content and provide recommendations that are intended to support the sustainable introduction of courses and exams to develop the communicative skills of veterinary students.

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.

Background: General practitioners and general internists occupy a key position in German and Austrian healthcare systems. They provide primary care and act as gatekeepers between medical disciplines and sectors of care. Their explicit medical knowledge levels, however, can be quite disparate. Objective: This study analyses whether general practitioners’ performances on a standardised knowledge test changes with four relevant socio-demographic variables.Design: The survey was based on the Progress Test Medicine (PTM), a standardised 200 item knowledge test on graduate level. After formal blueprinting and item analysis, 60 items of PTM were selected (“PTM-GP”) for our study. Participants: PTM-GP was presented ad hoc to general practitioners and internists from Germany and Austria at a number of professional meetings in 2011. 161 volunteers completed the survey. Main measures: For evaluation, correlation analysis (Spearman), Kruskal Wallis-tests for non-parametric data and an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were calculated.Results: Overall, four indicators turned out to be slightly significant for the performance on the PTM-GP, namely: Conclusions: Recent graduates performed better in the PTM-GP; a doctor’s licensing examination grade as well as training at a university hospital correlated positively with PTM-GP performance.A general doctor’s knowledge level is moderately influenced by exam grades, time since graduation, the institutional affiliation of postgraduate training and medical specialisation. Individual changes in knowledge over time have to be deliberately considered in lifelong learning. In consequence, the on-going teaching of medical knowledge should be integrated mandatory and verifiable into general doctors’ everyday practices, e.g. through repetitive knowledge tests with individual feedback and recommendations for further continuing medical education (CME).

Digital transformation has a major impact on the healthcare system and sometimes leads to disruption. Therefore, the medical environment we see today may be very different from what we see in the future. The aim of the present study was to investigate how medical students can be prepared for a medical environment that is currently not fully predictable. For this purpose, a course has been created at Witten/Herdecke University in the fundamental studies, which deals with the digital transformation of the healthcare system. Students can take part both in presence and synchronously online. Over the past five semesters of the event, there has been massive demand (up to 365 course assignments), an interactive discussion with internal and external experts, and a very high acceptance of the topic and methodology. The digital transformation of the health system will be a major focus of the new model curriculum at Witten/Herdecke University, whereby the synergies with the courses of the other faculties should always be used to train multiprofessional interface competences.

Objective: The individualized two-stage selection procedure for medical studies at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) has been in use for more than 30 years and comprises explicit and implicit selection criteria. This analysis aims at identifying the implicit criteria and answering the question whether an internal consistency of these implicit criteria may be verified for the different phases of the selection procedure (when evaluating the statements of purpose, during the selection weekend and during the concluding discussions of assessors). Methodology: Three qualitative studies on all phases of the selection procedure at UW/H have been conducted for determining the implicit assessment criteria of assessors: Results: The content analysis of the statements of purpose yielded 14 main categories with significant deviations between extreme groups in the categories school career, reasons for application and reflections as well as regarding the higher education entrance qualification grade. Based on the expert interviews, three main categories could be identified: intellectual ability, motivation and social competence, and the ability to reflect as a cross-content category. The focus group analysis yielded four main categories: performance, personality, personal growth potential and ability to reflect. Most frequently, the ability to reflect was mentioned as an assessment criterion. Conclusion: The main assessment categories are: motivation for the medical profession and starting studies at UW/H; performance and scholastic aptitude; personality, personal growth potential and social competence, as well as the ability to reflect as the most important basic competence and general category. Assessors consider the ability to reflect as a predictor of lifelong professional development as a physician.

Objective: Despite the fact that feedback (FB) provided by teachers to students is a recognised, effective teaching tool, successful use of feedback during clinical training depends on many factors. In addition to appropriate training and attitude of teachers, sustainable feedback requires an appropriate teaching culture and active commitment on the part of the students to receive, accept and use FB. This study examines the use of two different clinical encounter cards (CECs) during clinical rotation and investigates whether students take a more active part in the feedback process when using these cards. The objective of this study is to test whether it has a positive effect if students write down FB themselves and to verify this positive effect.Methodology: 161 students in their 9th semester of veterinary studies each had to use two clinical encounter cards (types 1 and 2) during their rotations on 10 wards. For this, students had to ask teachers for FB before starting a clinical activity. The oral FB given by the teachers was either written down on the CEC by the teachers (CEC type 1) or by the students (CEC type 2). Furthermore, the students were asked to assess their own performance by means of anchor criteria and to evaluate the quality of the FB provided by the teachers. Based on the entries in the CECs submitted, the following indicators for both CEC types could be calculated: (1) FB quantity and quality (length and specificity), (2) differentiation of self-assessment, as well as (3) level of satisfaction with the FB provided by the teachers.Results: With 2,377 CECs submitted, the mean CEC return rate was 74%. 99% of the cards showed positive FB, 69% contained constructive FB with suggestions for improvement, and 87% suggested specific next steps. On average, the FB written down by teachers was longer (12.4 versus 9.7 words) and more specific (1.9 versus 1.7 out of 3) than FB written down by students. Length and specificity decreased in the course of the semester. Neither the differentiation of self-assessment (proportion of differentiated entering of self-assessment) nor the students’ level of satisfaction with the FB differed between the two examined CEC variants.Conclusion: The use of CECs across the cohort was successfully possible; however, the fact that students formulated and wrote down the FB themselves did not result in more comprehensive or more specific FB. Self-assessment and level of satisfaction with the teachers’ FB remained unchanged.

Background: More and more institutions worldwide and in German-speaking countries are developing and establishing interprofessional seminars in undergraduate education of health professions. In order to evaluate the different didactic approaches and different outcomes regarding the anticipated interprofessional competencies, it is necessary to apply appropriate instruments. Cross-cultural instruments are particularly helpful for international comparability. The Interprofessional Education working group of the German Medical Association (GMA) aims at identifying existing instruments for the evaluation of interprofessional education in order to make recommendations for German-speaking countries.Methods: Systematic literature research was performed on the websites of international interprofessional organisations (CAIPE, EIPEN, AIPEN), as well as in the PubMed and Cinahl databases. Reviews focusing on quantitative instruments to evaluate competencies according to the modified Kirkpatrick competency levels were searched for. Psychometrics, language/country and setting, in which the instrument was applied, were recorded. Results: Six reviews out of 73 literature research hits were included. A large number of instruments were identified; however, their psychometrics and the applied setting were very heterogeneous. The instruments can mainly be assigned to Kirkpatrick levels 1, 2a & 2b. Most instruments have been developed in English but their psychometrics were not always reported rigorously. Only very few instruments are available in German.Conclusion: It is difficult to find appropriate instruments in German. Internationally, there are different approaches and objectives in the measurement and evaluation of interprofessional competencies. The question arises whether it makes sense to translate existing instruments or to go through the lengthy process of developing new ones. The evaluation of interprofessional seminars with quantitative instruments remains mainly on Kirkpatrick levels 1 and 2. Levels 3 and 4 can probably only be assessed with qualitative or mixed methods. German language instruments are necessary.

Context: In medical and veterinary medical education the use of problem-based and cased-based learning has steadily increased over time. At veterinary faculties, this development has mainly been evident in the clinical phase of the veterinary education. Therefore, a consortium of teachers of biochemistry and physiology together with technical and didactical experts launched the EU-funded project “vetVIP”, to create and implement veterinary virtual patients and problems for basic science instruction. In this study the implementation and utilization of virtual patients occurred at the veterinary faculties in Budapest, Hannover and Lublin.Methods: This report describes the investigation of the utilization and acceptance of students studying veterinary basic sciences using optional online learning material concurrently to regular biochemistry and physiology didactic instruction. The reaction of students towards this offer of clinical case-based learning in basic sciences was analysed using quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were collected automatically within the chosen software-system CASUS as user-log-files. Responses regarding the quality of the virtual patients were obtained using an online questionnaire. Furthermore, subjective evaluation by authors was performed using a focus group discussion and an online questionnaire.Results: Implementation as well as usage and acceptance varied between the three participating locations. High approval was documented in Hannover and Lublin based upon the high proportion of voluntary students (>70%) using optional virtual patients. However, in Budapest the participation rate was below 1%. Due to utilization, students seem to prefer virtual patients and problems created in their native language and developed at their own university. In addition, the statement that assessment drives learning was supported by the observation that peak utilization was just prior to summative examinations.Conclusion: Veterinary virtual patients in basic sciences can be introduced and used for the presentation of integrative clinical case scenarios. Student post-course comments also supported the conclusion that overall the virtual cases increased their motivation for learning veterinary basic sciences.

[english] The amendments introduced to the current Veterinary Licensing Ordinance (TAppV) by the Veterinary Licensing Regulation (TAppO) have brought a high degree of skills orientation to fill the gap between academic study and preparing for a wide range of professional skills. In order to improve the veterinary skills of students while conveying fundamental methods in a structured and reproducible way, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, has set up the first central veterinary skills lab in Germany.Practical training is provided by means of a three-tier delivery approach. This involves around 40 simulators on an area of approx. 800 m² under the guidance of 6-8 staff members, along with supplementary resources such as posters, text instructions and YouTube videos. Since it opened in March 2013, there have been 769 visits to the skills lab and 30,734 hits on YouTube.Initial results show that the skills lab helps to maintain student motivation by teaching them practical skills at an early stage of the basic study-based acquisition of knowledge, whilst reinforcing skills acquisition per se in competence-based teaching. It enables veterinary students to prepare for their first examinations and treatments of live patients in a manner compliant with animal welfare.

[english] Objective: NOVICE (Network Of Veterinary ICT in Education, ), is a professional online social network for veterinarians, lecturers and students of veterinary medicine as well as for e-Learning advisers and others working in establishments that teach veterinary medicine. This study sets out to investigate to what extent German veterinarians, lecturers, students of veterinary medicine and e-Learning representatives would accept a specialist network, what requirements would have to be met by an online social network, how to use web 2.0 tools , and what advantages a specialist network could offer. Methodology: The investigation was carried out by analysing data from the Elgg platform database as well as using Google Analytics. Annual focus group surveys and individual interviews were carried out in order to perform an analysis of acceptance among network users.Results: 1961 users from 73 different countries registered on the NOVICE site between 1 September 2010 and 21 March 2012. Germany represents the biggest user group, with 565 users (28.81%). During this period, most individual hits on the website came from Germany too. In total, 24.83% of all members are active, while 19.22% of German members participate actively. In terms of gender, there are significantly more female members than male members, both in the NOVICE network as a whole as well as in Germany. The most used web 2.0 tools are chat and email messaging services as well as writing wikis and contributing to forum discussions. The focus group surveys showed that respondents generally make use of other online communities too. Active members generally use more web 2.0 tools than in other networks, while passive members are generally more reluctant in all networks. All participants of the survey welcomed the idea of having a network specifically set up for the profession and believe that it could be very useful for veterinary medicine.Conclusions: The network and its membership figures developed very positively during the assessed time period. Until now, the focus of the content of contributions in NOVICE (Network of Veterinary ICT in Education) has been on veterinary medicine teaching supported by e-Learning. An increase in the number of members would, however, be beneficial in order to further develop the network so that valuable exchange of information and informal learning can also take place in other specialist areas of veterinary medicine. [german] Zielsetzung: NOVICE (Network Of Veterinary ICt in Education, ) ist ein soziales professionelles online-Netzwerk für Tiermediziner, Dozierende und Studierende der Tiermedizin sowie für E-Learning-Berater bzw. Didaktiker der veterinärmedizinischen Bildungsstätten. In dieser Arbeit sollte untersucht werden, wie die Akzeptanz bei deutschen Tierärzten, Dozierenden und Studierenden der Veterinärmedizin sowie E-Learning-Beauftragten für ein fachspezifisches Netzwerk ist, welche Anforderungen durch die Nutzer an soziale online-Netzwerke gestellt werden, wie der Umgang mit Web 2.0-Werkzeugen , erfolgt und welches Potential ein berufsspezifisches Netzwerk bieten könnte. Methodik: Die Untersuchung erfolgte mittels Datenanalyse durch die Datenbank der Elgg-Plattform sowie zusätzlich mit google analytics. Jährliche Fokusgruppenbefragungen und Einzelinterviews wurden durchgeführt, um eine Akzeptanzanalyse der Netzwerk-Nutzer vorzunehmen.Ergebnisse: In NOVICE haben sich zwischen dem 01. September 2010 und 21. März 2012 1961 Mitglieder aus 73 Ländern registriert, dabei hat Deutschland mit 565 Nutzern (28,81%) den größten Anteil. In diesem Zeitraum kamen auch die meisten Einzelbesuche der Webseite aus Deutschland. Insgesamt sind im Netzwerk 24,83% aller Mitglieder und 19,22% der deutschen Mitglieder aktiv. In Bezug auf das Geschlecht befinden sich sowohl in Hinblick auf alle Mitglieder als auch auf die deutschen Mitglieder deutlich mehr Frauen als Männer in NOVICE. Die am häufigsten verwendeten Web 2.0-Werkzeuge sind das Versenden von Chat- und Email-Nachrichten sowie das Schreiben von Wiki- und Diskussionsbeiträgen. Aus den Fokusgruppenbefragungen ging hervor, dass von den Befragten in der Regel auch andere online-communities in Anspruch genommen werden, die aktiven Mitglieder mehr Web 2.0-Werkzeuge nutzen als in anderen Netzwerken, während die passiven Mitglieder in allen Netzwerken eher zurückhaltend sind. Über ein eigenes berufsständisches Netzwerk zu verfügen, begrüßten alle Teilnehmer der Befragung und sahen darin ein großes Potential für die Veterinärmedizin.Schlussfolgerung: Die Entwicklung des Netzwerkes sowie die Zahl der Mitglieder sind in diesem Zeitraum durchaus positiv zu bewerten. Bisher liegt der inhaltliche Fokus der Beiträge dem Namen des Netzwerkes (Network Of Veterinary ICt in Education) entsprechend auf der durch E-Learning unterstützten veterinärmedizinischen Lehre. Für die Weiterentwicklung des Netzwerkes wäre ein Zuwachs der Mitgliederzahl jedoch wünschenswert, damit in anderen veterinärmedizinischen Fachgebieten ebenfalls hochwertiger Informationsaustausch und informelles Lernen stattfinden können.

[english] Introduction: Informal and formal lifelong learning is essential at university and in the workplace. Apart from classical learning techniques, Web 2.0 tools can be used. It is controversial whether there is a so-called net generation amongst people under 30.Aims: To test the hypothesis that a net generation among students and young veterinarians exists.Methods: An online survey of students and veterinarians was conducted in the German-speaking countries which was advertised via online media and traditional print media.Results: 1780 people took part in the survey. Students and veterinarians have different usage patterns regarding social networks (91.9% vs. 69%) and IM (55.9% vs. 24.5%). All tools were predominantly used passively and in private, to a lesser extent also professionally and for studying.Outlook: The use of Web 2.0 tools is useful, however, teaching information and media skills, preparing codes of conduct for the internet and verification of user generated content is essential.[german] Einleitung: Informelles und formelles lebenslanges Lernen ist im Studium und Beruf essenziell. Dazu können neben der klassischen Fortbildung auch Web 2.0 Tools benutzt werden. Umstritten in der Literatur ist allerdings, ob es unter den „Unter 30 Jährigen“ eine sogenannte Net-Generation gibt. Ziel: Überprüfung der Hypothese, dass eine Net-Generation unter Studierenden und jungen Tierärzten existiert. Methode: Eine Onlineumfrage unter Studierenden und der Tierärzteschaft wurde im deutschsprachigen Raum durchgeführt, die per Onlinemedien und klassischen Printmedien beworben wurde.Ergebnisse: An der Befragung haben 1780 Personen teilgenommen. Es gibt unterschiedliches Nutzungsverhalten von Studierenden und der Tierärzteschaft bei sozialen Netzwerken (91,9% vs. 69%) und IMs (55,9% vs. 24,5%). Alle Tools wurden hauptsächlich passiv und privat genutzt, im geringeren Maße auch für den Beruf und das Studium.Ausblick: Der Einsatz von Web 2.0 Tools ist sinnvoll, jedoch ist eine Vermittlung von Informations- und Medienkompetenz, Erstellung von Verhaltensregeln im Internet und Überprüfung von „user generated content“ essentiell.

[english] Introduction/Objective: E-assessment can be used in a diagnostic, formative, or summative way. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether e-assessment can be used in lectures to enhance the learning effect through providing feedback to students and teachers.Methods: In lectures and continuing education courses of veterinary medicine and medicine, two different systems in three scenarios were tested: Students were evaluated quantitatively (1: n = 472, 2: n = 82, 3: 1278) and teachers were interviewed in the first scenario qualitatively (n = 8). Results: A broad acceptance of the method and a positive impact on the lecture could be proven. Motivation of all participating groups and interaction were improved. It was possible to realize case-based training with a large group, and the participants were actively involved with the different subjects. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that by using formative e-assessment the quality of teaching can be enhanced to such an extent as to justify a comprehensive use of the systems.[german] Einleitung/Zielsetzung: Elektronische Prüfungssysteme können diagnostisch, formativ oder summativ eingesetzt werden. In dieser Studie sollte untersucht werden, ob elektronische Prüfungssysteme auch in Präsenzveranstaltungen eingesetzt werden können, um sowohl den Studierenden als auch den Dozierenden Feedback über den Lernstand zu geben.Methodik: In tiermedizinischen und medizinischen Unterrichts- und Fortbildungsveranstaltungen wurden zwei verschiedene Systeme in drei unterschiedlichen Szenarien eingesetzt: Hierbei wurden sowohl Lernenden quantitativ (1: n= 472, 2: n=82, 3: 1278) als auch Lehrenden im ersten Szenario (n=8) qualitativ befragt.Ergebnisse: Es konnten eine breite Akzeptanz der Methode und positive Auswirkungen auf den Unterricht festgestellt werden. Die Motivation aller beteiligten Gruppen und die Interaktion wurden gesteigert, fallbasiertes Lernen wurde auch in Großveranstaltungen ermöglicht und die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema gefördert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung deuten darauf hin, dass der Einsatz formativer, elektronischer Prüfungssysteme die Qualität der Lehre verbessert kann und somit ein umfangreicher Einsatz gerechtfertigt ist.

[english] The availability of information and communication in german veterinary medicine is widespread and web-based media is a growing factor in this phenomenon. Parallel to this development, social and professional networks are becoming increasingly more important in the profession. The goal of the internet-based message board with the domain name Foren4Vet.de (founded 2002), is to establish a point of contact for professional members, students, and individuals interested in studying veterinary medicine. Today, in cooperation with the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover and with the veterinary panel of the Association of Medical Education, Foren4Vet provides an integrative platform for all members of the veterinary medicine profession. An online evaluation of the website showed a high demand for such a platform especially among the younger group of student users. Part of the website offers secure access for authorized members only, ensuring closed-group communication between professional groups and individuals associated with the university. At the same time, the message board supports the increasing demand for asynchronous and interdisciplinary communication. [german] Information und Kommunikation der veterinärmedizinischen Berufsgruppe findet heutzutage vielerorts statt, dabei gewinnen webbasierte Medien stetig an Bedeutung. Gleichzeitig nimmt die Bildung von fachlichen und sozialen Netzwerken innerhalb der Veterinärmedizin einen immer größeren Stellenwert ein. Im Jahr 2002 wurde die Diskussionsplattform Foren4Vet gegründet mit dem Ziel, eine Anlaufstelle für Mitglieder dieser Berufsgruppe zu sein und einen Austausch zu ermöglichen. Foren4Vet erfreut sich zunehmenden Interesses und bietet durch Kooperation mit der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover und dem Ausschuss Tiermedizin der GMA, sowie anderen veterinärmedizinischen Projekten eine einheitliche und übergreifende Forenplattform. In einer Online-Befragung der Nutzer kristallisierte sich die Nachfrage nach solchen Medien in der gesamten Berufsgruppe, insbesondere in der Gruppe der jungen Studierenden. Die Einrichtung geschlossener Bereiche garantiert, dass berufsgruppen- sowie hochschulinterne Informationen nur an authentifizierte Teilnehmer gelangen. Gleichzeitig wird das Forum der steigenden Nachfrage an interdisziplinärer, asynchroner Kommunikation gerecht.

[english] Practising veterinarians in Germany are obliged to take part in continuing education. Due to high expenses which are incurred while taking part in continuing education, such as replacement of personnel, travel costs, conference fees, etc., it is important that efforts toward achievement of learning objectives are maximized. Through the introduction of rapid e-learning techniques, several conferences have been digitised and made available via the internet including publication of CD-ROMs to give participants the possibility of repeated learning. The acceptability of this technique was tested via utilisation data and a survey of participants. It was found that 83.3% of lecturers provided their talks (i.e., a total of approximately 196 lectures) for digital distribution. The website featuring the on-line lectures recorded an average of 22 visits per day during a 12-month period. The survey conducted on 82 participants showed a high level of acceptance toward the e-learning technique. In conclusion, there is evidence of a great demand for using new media in continuing education for practitioners of veterinary medicine. [german] Die Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte in Deutschland sind gesetzlich zur Fortbildung verpflichtet. Da die Gesamtkosten für die Fortbildung sehr hoch sind (Praxisvertreter, Reisekosten, Tagungsbeitrag), sollte der Lernerfolg möglichst ergiebig sein. Durch Rapid-eLearning wurden mehrere Vortragsveranstaltungen digitalisiert und per Internet und CD verbreitet, um die Möglichkeiten der Nacharbeitung zu verbessern. Anhand der Nutzungszahlen und einer Nutzerbefragung wurde die Akzeptanz dieser Technik überprüft. 83,3% der Referenten stellten ihre Vorträge für eine digitale Verbreitung zur Verfügung, sodass insgesamt 196 online-Vorträge entstanden sind. Die Internetseiten verzeichneten innerhalb von 12 Monaten durchschnittlich 22 Besuche (visits) am Tag. In der Befragung von 82 Tagungsteilnehmern konnte eine hohe Akzeptanz der Technik nachgewiesen werden. Zusammenfassend lässt sich feststellen, dass sich innerhalb der Tierärzteschaft eine hohe Nachfrage nach dem Einsatz neuer Medien in der Fortbildung zeigt.

[english] As the result of the introduction of the TAppV (regulations governing the licensing of veterinarians), enormous growth of knowledge, and the continually changing conditions and uses of working and companion animals, the teaching of veterinary medicine is faced with new challenges. One of the solutions under discussion internationally would include a change from a general licensing program to a program of study with an early focus on one subject, i.e. specialization. The Veterinary Medicine Working Group of the GMA describes three types of curriculum (general license, tracking, postgraduate specialization), with all their advantages and disadvantages, as a basis for discussion within the veterinary medical fraternity. A precise description of the veterinary profession and a standardized list of learning targets (day-1 skills) will be necessary to advance this discussion. [german] Nach Einführung der TAppV, durch einen enormen Wissenszuwachs und durch laufende Änderung der Haltungsbedingungen unserer Nutz- und Haustiere befindet sich die Lehre in der Tiermedizin in einem Umbruch. Als eine der Problemlösungen wird international die Änderung des umfassenden Studiums in eine frühzeitige Spezialisierung diskutiert. Der Ausschuss Tiermedizin der GMA beschreibt drei Studienformen (Generalapprobation, Spezialisierung und Fachtierarztmodell) mit ihren Vor- und Nachteilen, um der Tierärzteschaft eine Diskussionsgrundlage für weitere Erörterungen vorzulegen. Als Grundvoraussetzung für ein weiteres Vorgehen werden die genaue Beschreibung des tierärztlichen Berufsbildes und die Entwicklung eines einheitlichen Lernzielkataloges gesehen.

In 2014, the Faculty of Management and Economics at Witten/Herdecke University introduced its first international programme, the MA PPE, which served as a test case within the overall internationalisation strategy. Despite the challenges detailed in this paper the overall implementation deemed successful. The university derived many valuable lessons for further its internationalisation strategy: embedding an international programme in a clear and structured general internationalisation strategy of the university; offering relevant assistance to international students in all organisational and administrative aspects; actively creating interfaces between international and domestic students; formulating a clear vision and mission for international programmes to be shared equally by students, academic and administrative staff.

Background/Objectives: This systematic and bibliographic review examines publications in the field of dementia and video game research from 2004 to 2023. The main objective is to assess developments and trends in video game technology for dementia care and detection. Methods: The PubMed database was the primary source for publications. PRISMA guidelines were applied to structure this review. Ten variables were defined, investigated, and split into three main categories: bibliographic, medical, and technical. Results: The results were synthesized using a quantitative approach to reduce bias through interpretation. Of 209 initial results, 77 publications have been included in the investigation. More studies focus on rehabilitation over assessment and detection of dementia. Clinical trials are typically conducted with limited participants. The most populated trials rarely enrol over 300 subjects. On average, around 38 subjects were enrolled in the trials. These studies are commonly supervised by a trainer or technology specialist, suggesting a technology gap in familiarity in the trial demographic. Conclusions: Most interventions assessed were custom-designed applications with a specific outcome, focusing on physical activity and cognitive exercises. As the first of its kind, this publication focuses on the technical aspects of applied technologies and development methods. Using video games to treat and detect patients with cognitive impairments like dementia can benefit healthcare professionals, caretakers, and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: 3D models are increasingly popular in veterinary teaching. However, students struggle with transferring 2D textbook images to 3D anatomical structures. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the learning outcome of 3D scans and 2D images of horse and pig skulls. Furthermore, the relationship between spatial ability and learning outcome was analyzed when using the different learning materials. Second-year veterinary medicine students participated in a practical anatomy course using 3D scans or 2D images as learning material and performed a test to determine their spatial ability. Independently of the learning material, all groups displayed high learning outcomes with no significant differences between the groups. In addition, it could not be stated that 3D scans support students with lower spatial ability. Nevertheless, students preferred 3D scans, finding them more motivating, although they did not necessarily improve learning outcomes. Students often struggle with interpreting traditional textbook images and translating them to anatomical structures. This study aimed to compare the impact of 3D scans versus 2D images on students' learning outcomes when learning anatomical structures on skulls from horses and pigs. Furthermore, the correlation between spatial ability and learning outcomes using 3D scans or 2D images was examined. Second-year veterinary medicine students either used 3D scans or 2D images, annotated with arrows or numbers as learning material. Students' anatomical knowledge was tested before and after the learning session, and spatial ability was assessed using the mental rotation test. All groups improved significantly in the post-test. However, the differences between groups were not significant, suggesting that 3D scans do not necessarily lead to higher learning outcomes. The analysis of the correlation between spatial ability and learning outcomes did not prove that students with weaker spatial ability benefit from 3D scans. Students preferred 3D scans over 2D images despite similar outcomes, suggesting they are valuable for learning. However, results show that the introduction of novel learning materials likely amplified the impact of reduced learning time on the 3D group, as these materials necessitated additional time for effective comprehension and integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]