Faculty development in general practice in Germany: Experiences, evaluations, perspectives

Abstract

From 1999 to 2001, the German Society of General Practice and Family Medicine (DEGAM) pioneered a faculty development programme to help general practitioners (GPs) interested in an academic career to develop their skills in teaching, primary care, quality assurance and research. The programme involves five weekend-training sessions over 18 months and applies a learner-centred approach. Participants choose the learning formats and switch between the roles of learners, teachers, chair persons and programme organizers. This article evaluates the acceptability and feasibility of the programme. Data were collected over a two-year period from the 16 participants who completed the first training programme. The evaluation involved a focus group, telephone interviews and email questionnaires. Participants appreciated the learner centred format of the programme and gained new teaching and research skills. They also learned to better assess and critically reflect on their professional work as GPs and reported improved academic ‘survival skills’ due to collaborative networks with colleagues. The faculty development programme proved advantageous for the personal and professional development of the participating GPs. It constitutes a promising tool for the further development of General Practice as an academic discipline that is still in the process of establishing itself at medical schools in Germany.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step: (Lao-Tse, 6th century B.C.)

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Markus Herrmann

MARKUS HERRMANN, MD, MPH, is Professor of Medicine, Institute of General Practice, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg and Martin-Luther University Halle. He also runs a practice for family medicine and psychotherapy in Berlin, Germany.

Thomas Lichte

THOMAS LICHTE, MD, is Professor of Medicine, Institute of General Practice, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg and Martin-Luther University Halle. He also runs a practice for family medicine and psychotherapy in Lauenbrück, Germany.

Hella Von Unger

HELLA VON UNGER, PhD, is a research fellow at the Institute of General Practice, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany.

Markus Gulich

MARKUS GULICH, MD, MSc, is a senior lecturer at the Department of General Practice at the University of Ulm, Germany.

Hannelore Waechtler

HANNELORE WAECHTLER is lecturer at the Department of General Practice at the Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany.

Norbert Donner-Banzhoff

NORBERT DONNER-BANZHOFF, MD, is Professor of General Practice at the University of Marburg, Germany.

Stefan Wilm

STEFAN WILM, MD, is a senior researcher at the Department of General Practice at the Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Germany.