Z Orthop Unfall 2021; 159(06): 624-630
DOI: 10.1055/a-1200-2544
Original Article/Originalarbeit

Internship Experience in Orthopaedics and Traumatology and its Impact on Becoming a Specialist

Article in several languages: English | deutsch
Richard Kasch
1   Department for Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Greifswald Medical University
,
Eva Abert
1   Department for Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Greifswald Medical University
,
Nina Kolleck
2   University Chair for Political Education, Faculty for Social Sciences and Philosophy, Leipzig University
,
Mohamed Ghanem
3   Department for Orthopaedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, Leipzig University
,
Susanne Froehlich
4   Orthopaedic Clinic and Outpatient Department, University Medical Centre Rostock
,
André Hofer
1   Department for Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Greifswald Medical University
,
Arndt Peter Schulz
5   Department for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, BG Trauma Centre Hamburg
,
Georgi Wassilew
1   Department for Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Greifswald Medical University
,
Stephanie Herbstreit
6   Department for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Essen University Medical Hospital
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Introduction The German practical year is the last clinical placement period during Medical School. However, it remains unclear how medical students evaluate the practical year in orthopaedics and traumatology (Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie; O & U) and whether it has an impact on becoming an O & U specialist.

Method We analysed data of 146 medical students (46,7% female) who completed the placement in O & U. From the evaluation, 37 items were included in the analyses. Participants who could imagine becoming an O & U specialist (O & U-Ja) following graduation were statistically compared to those who could not (O & U-Nein).

Results Overall 123 (83.7%) trainees indicated that they would like to become an O & U specialist (O & U-Ja), 18 (12.8%) negated (O & U-Nein) and 6 (4.1%) were undecided. Groups did not differ for sex and age (sex: Chi² = 2.50, p = 0.114; age: F [1.93] < 1, p = 0.764). Group differences were found for practical orientation, independency, acquisition of anamnesis and diagnostics skills and problem-solving expertise with students who could imagine becoming an O & U specialist (O & U-Ja) giving the highest ratings.

Discussion Evaluations of the last medical year are essential in order to continuously improve the internship experience and to attract students towards a certain medical field and, moreover, to post-graduate specialist training. Clinics and institutions who already emphasize on the factors derived from this evaluation, or are continuously working on improvement, might be more able to attract young professionals, since personnel acquisition is starting early in the medical field.



Publication History

Article published online:
23 September 2020

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