[Mandatory elective course in emergency medicine with instructions by paramedics improves practical training in undergraduate medical education].
BACKGROUND
Due to the complexity of medical emergencies undergraduate medical training in the integrative course on emergency medicine requires education combining knowledge, practical skills, algorithm-driven behavior and soft skills. New State board regulations on education and licensing of physicians demand a practical implementation of these objectives.


METHODS
The medical faculty of Frankfurt medical school has implemented an obligatory prehospital elective course. A retrospective questionnaire assessed the organization, instructional competence of the paramedics and integration of students in the emergency medical teams.


RESULTS
Out of a total of 486 students the majority rated the longitudinal curriculum as positive (66% very good and 28% good). The practical experience at a scene was evaluated to be reasonable by 86% and 95% of the students stated that integration into the emergency team was rendered without any difficulties.


CONCLUSIONS
A prehospital experience supported by paramedics can serve as a valuable tool in an emergency medicine curriculum.
Walcher
F
F
Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main. walcher@trauma.uni-frankfurt.de
Rüsseler
M
M
Nürnberger
F
F
Byhahn
C
C
Stier
M
M
Mrosek
J
J
Weinlich
M
M
Breitkreutz
R
R
Heringer
F
F
Marzi
I
I
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005858:Germany; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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