Paradigmenwechsel in der akademischen Lehre - Umsetzung und erste Evaluationsergebnisse für den Fachbereich Unfallchirurgie an der Universitätsklinik Heidelberg

Background: Most medical schools face an urgent need for reforms in student education. Measures to improve medical as well as social and communicative skills of young physicians have been integrated into a reformed course of studies. Methods: Different clinical subjects are combined in a network. Teaching takes place in small groups. Problem focused teaching and new media are integrated. For the summer term 2003 introduced changes in the traumatology department were evaluated by 148 students and 18 members of medical staff. Results: Increase of self-responsibility and decisiveness are reported of no special significance. Problem focusing, bed-side teaching and integrated tutorials were favored. Both groups consider self-studying to be essential. Skills are rather transferred from medical staff than fellow students. Conclusion: The new educational concept in traumatology shows positive effects. Students show higher motivation and self-competence. Social and methodical skills of the future physicians improve considerably.