[Training requirements, expertise and basic conditions of committed medical educators in Germany].
BACKGROUND
Despite an increasing interest in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education, little is known about the training requirements, expertise and basic conditions of medical educators. Against this backdrop, we initiated a web-based survey amongst members of the "Gesellschaft für Medizinische Ausbildung" (German Section of the Association for Medical Education in Europe) e.V. (GMA).


METHODS
We conducted a web-based survey designed to answer the following questions: How do medical educators judge (1) their training requirements, (2) their expertise and (3) basic conditions. 147 out of 373 members of the GMA e-mailing list responded to the questionnaire (overall response rate: 39%).


RESULTS
The following were rated as high-priority training needs: development in medical education research methodology (56% of survey participants), student assessment (37%), supporting self-directed learning (35%), and computer-based training (32%). The highest level of expertise [Likert Scale: 1 = very low to 5 = very high] was perceived in: general teaching principles (3.76 +/- 0.74), curriculum development (3.74 +/- 0.95), student assessment (3.65 +/- 0.97] and evaluation of courses and curricula [3.65 +/- 0.9]. Regarding basic conditions, respondents noted a particular need for more funding in medical education [4.26 +/- 0.88] and more recognition of merits in medical education [4.20 +/- 0.92].


CONCLUSIONS
The survey respondents identified more training in research methodology and more academic recognition and funding as important challenges in the field of medical education.
Huwendiek
Sören
S
Zentrum für Kinder und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Klinik Kinderheilkunde 1, Heidelberg. Soeren.huwendiek@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Dern
Peter
P
Hahn
Eckhart G
EG
Pediaditakis
Daphne
D
Tönshoff
Burkhard
B
Nikendei
Christoph
C
D000328:Adult; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged