Longitudinale Begleitung hausärztlicher Patient*innen im Medizinstudium: Chancen und Herausforderungen

There are several institutes for general practice in Germany that offer teaching formats for longitudinal companionship of patients. The teaching format shows several special features in terms of development and implementation.

In addition to describing the teaching formats in Bielefeld and Hanover, we present the results of a workshop on the development of this teaching format.

On 18 November 2023, we conducted a 90-minute workshop during the conference of the Society for University Teaching in General Practice (GHA) in Bielefeld. The participants worked in small groups to develop criteria for suitable patients, learning objectives and content for longitudinal companionship of patients. Following a report of experiences on existing concepts, they discussed opportunities as well as challenges of this teaching format.

The 17 participants identified the following selection criteria for suitable patients: the presence of a common chronic illness without a high disease burden, a life expectancy of more than 2 years and certain personality traits, e.g., flexibility and openness. The participants considered the opportunities to include the recording of complex disease progressions, the longitudinal aspect of care, and reflection on one’s own medical role. The challenges they identified included the adequate selection of suitable patients, the effort involved for all participants, and the risk of overburdening students.

The workshop enabled in a short time an initial reflection, a comparison with existing concepts, and concrete first steps for the implementation of such a format at one’s own location. The results obtained will be used to further develop existing teaching concepts.