title: [Anaesthesiology as a compulsory subject in the new German medical school curriculum. Evaluation of a curricular model at the University Hospital Aachen].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since October 2003 new regulations for qualifications to practice medicine in Germany now require compulsory courses in anaesthesiology. Therefore, existing curricular activities had to be changed from facultative courses for a small number of interested students to compulsory activities for all students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Previous data of the department of anaesthesiology at the University Hospital Aachen (Germany) were collected and taken into consideration for the development of a new curriculum: The result was a course consisting of a tutorial with integrated "basic skill training", practical training in the operating theatre and a simulation-based session, in addition to two series of lectures. An evaluation by the students was carried out using EvaLuna as a tool for web-based on-line evaluation and faculty members had to fill out a standardized questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The different parts of the curriculum received the highest scores of all courses in the undergraduate medical school curriculum. Best results were achieved by the anaesthesia-simulation session followed by the tutorial and the practical training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The feedback of faculty members as well as the results of students' evaluation approved the developed concept of integrating anaesthesia-relevant issues into the formal medical school curriculum. Nevertheless, the on-line evaluation system EvaLuna provided additional suggestions for future improvements in the newly created curriculum.
authors: Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum, Rheinisch-westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen. sbeckers@ukaachen.de
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Beckers
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sopka
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Fries
authors: M H
authors: MH
authors: Skorning
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kuhlen
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rossaint
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003422:Critical Care; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods; D005858:Germany; D020407:Internet; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000639:trends*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires