[Who Stays Loyal to Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery? Results of a Nationwide Survey].
BACKGROUND
The general shortage of medical doctors in Germany can also be felt in the area of trauma and orthopaedics. Medical elective placements, in Germany known as "Famulatur", are sensitive interfaces between the theoretical university studies and the practical medical workplace. In this research project, the aim was to study how medical students perceive these types of placements and if it alters their decision making when planning their further career.


METHODS
During the summer term of 2012, 9079 medical students answered an online questionnaire. Of these, the subgroup was evaluated that had had a placement of at least 4 weeks in the field of trauma and orthopaedics. Overall, 37 test items about this placement and further career steps were included in this study. Groups were evaluated separately by the item "I am considering a career in trauma and orthopaedics" (PJ-Ja) versus "I am not considering a career in trauma and orthopaedics" (PJ-Nein).


RESULTS
Overall 397 students were included in this study; 55 % were female. 267 (67.3 %) stated: "I am considering a career in trauma and orthopaedics"; 130 (32.7 %) were not. There was no significant difference in age or sex between these groups (sex: χ²= 2.50, p = 0.114; age: F[1.93]< 1, p = 0.764). Specific and statistically significant differences between those groups were found in the items team integration, ward climate, qualification of teaching, training for specific knowledge in the field, practical aspects of the tasks performed, general planning and structure of the elective achievement of the teaching goals.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of satisfaction during medical elective placements is essential if one aims to inspire students for a specific medical profession. Instructors who can identify weaknesses and deficits in their training regime can therefore in the future increase the number of medical doctors who choose their speciality. The foundation of personal development has to be laid very early in the career of medical students.
Zentrum für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Rehabilitative Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
R
R
Kasch
Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
J
J
Wirkner
Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Tübingen.
A
A
Meder
Zentrum für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Rehabilitative Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
E
E
Abert
Zentrum für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Rehabilitative Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
M
M
Abert
Klinik für Chirurgie des Stütz- und Bewegungsapparates, Universität zu Lübeck.
A P
AP
Schulz
Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg A.ö.R.
F
F
Walcher
Zentrum für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Rehabilitative Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie und Rehabilitative Medizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
D
D
Gümbel
Orthopädisch-Unfallchirurgisches Zentrum, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim.
U
U
Obertacke
Abteilung für Traumatologie im Spital Visp, Spitalzentrum Oberwallis, Visp, Schweiz.
P
P
Schwanitz
Zentrum für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Rehabilitative Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
H
H
Merk
Orthopädische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Rostock.
S
S
Froehlich
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult