[Professionalism in general practice in Germany - a qualitative approximation].
BACKGROUND
Pre- and postgraduate education is meant to be competency-based. Over the last two decades various competency frameworks have been published. One competency is professionalism, a definition of which has not yet been developed but is being discussed in the literature. The aim of this qualitative study is an approximation to professionalism among German general practitioners and general practitioner trainees.


METHODS
A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing seven pairs of GPs and their trainees. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. The analysis was performed according to Mayring supported by the software Atlas.ti.


RESULTS
Four categories of professionalism emerged: responsibility towards patients, responsibility towards other professionals, responsibility towards the society and responsibility towards oneself. Professionalism was perceived as important for general practice in Germany. In addition, barriers of professional behaviour have been identified.


CONCLUSIONS
The perception of professionalism among German GPs and GP trainees is in accordance with the frameworks of professionalism found in the literature. These results underline the need for conceptualising professionalism among general practice trainees in Germany.
Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Heidelberg; Kompetenzzentrum Allgemeinmedizin Baden-Württemberg, Heidelberg. Electronic address: marco.roos@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Marco
M
Roos
Doris
D
Krug
David
D
Pfisterer
Stefanie
S
Joos
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000592:standards*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012941:Social Responsibility
Allgemeinmedizin; General practice; Professionalität; Weiterbildung; postgraduate education; professionalism; qualitative Forschung; qualitative research