[A contribution to the needs assessment of faculty development measures in medical schools].
BACKGROUND
In addition to patient care and research activity, physicians working in medical school hospitals serve as teachers in undergraduate medical education. However, teaching qualifications of German university hospital physicians have not been studied in great detail.


METHODS
In January 2009, medical students as well as physicians involved in medical teaching at Göttingen Medical School, Germany, were invited to complete an online survey addressing their views on clinical teachers' educational skills. In addition, physicians' motivation to engage in pedagogical training was assessed.


RESULTS
During a 12-day period, 359 students and 126 physicians involved in undergraduate medical education completed the survey. The latter did not feel well prepared for their teaching activities. At the same time, they expressed the willingness to improve their teaching skills. Students felt that, across all instructional methods, teachers would benefit from teacher training programs.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to improve undergraduate education for future physicians, politicians and local representatives alike must set the scene for the implementation of faculty development measures in German medical schools.
Raupach
Tobias
T
Abteilung für Kardiologie und Pneumologie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. raupach@med.uni-goettingen.de
Spering
Christopher
C
Bäumler
Christine
C
Burckhardt
Gerhard
G
Trümper
Lorenz
L
Pukrop
Tobias
T
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000639:trends*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000639:trends*; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012577:Schools, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires