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. 2019 Oct 15;36(5):Doc59.
doi: 10.3205/zma001267. eCollection 2019.

15 years of the model study course in medicine at the Ruhr University Bochum

A Burger  1 , B Huenges  2 , U Köster  1 , M Thomas  1 , B Woestmann  2 , H Lieverscheidt  1 , H H Rusche  1   2 , T Schäfer  1
Affiliations

15 years of the model study course in medicine at the Ruhr University Bochum

A Burger et al. GMS J Med Educ. .

Abstract
in English, German

The Faculty of Medicine of the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) introduced a model study course in medicine (MSM) in the winter semester 2003. For 9 consecutive years, 42 out of 280 first year students at the Ruhr University Bochum had the opportunity to begin their studies in the model study course in medicine. The places were allocated amongst the applicants internally through a raffle. The MSM was consistently problem-, practice- and patient-oriented and largely did away with lectures, broke with the distinction between a pre-clinical and clinical phase and tested basic knowledge in equivalent integrated exams focusing on clinical application. Following a comparative evaluation of the standard degree course (RSM) and the MSM, the faculty merged the two degree courses into the Integrated Reformed Medical Curriculum (IRMC), which has been on offer since 2013 and is characterized by a topic-oriented hybrid curriculum. This article examines experiences relating to the origins, conception and introduction of the MSM.

Zum Wintersemester 2003 führte die Medizinische Fakultät der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) den Modellstudiengang Medizin (MSM) ein. Für 9 aufeinanderfolgende Jahrgänge hatten je 42 von 280 StudienanfängerInnen der Ruhr-Universität Bochum die Gelegenheit, ihr Studium im Modellstudiengang Medizin zu beginnen. Die Plätze wurden unter freiwilligen Bewerbungen intern verlost. Der konsequent Problem-, Praxis- und Patientenorientierte MSM verzichtete weitgehend auf Vorlesungen, hob die Trennung von Vorklinik und Klinik auf und prüfte die Grundlagenkenntnisse in äquivalenten, integrierten Prüfungen mit klinischen Anwendungen. Nach vergleichender Auswertung von Regelstudiengang (RSM) und MSM führte die Fakultät die beiden Studiengänge zu dem seit 2013 angebotenen integrierten Reformstudiengang Medizin (iRM) zusammen, der durch ein themenorientiertes Hybridcurriculum gekennzeichnet ist. Dieser Artikel befasst sich mit den Erfahrungen mit der Entstehung, Konzeption und Einführung des Modellstudiengangs Medizin.

Keywords: PBL; integration; problem-based learning; small group teaching; theme-oriented curriculum.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Theme-based curriculum of the medical model study program (horizontal: Semester weeks 1-16, vertical: Semester 1-12; MEQ/MCQ=combined modified essay question and multiple choice tests; OSCE=objective structured clinical examination)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Template timetable for the first 2 years of study with 4 hours of POL, 4 hours of accompanying seminars, 4 hours of internships, 2 hours of practical exercises, 3 time slots for fortnightly events and time reserved for self-study (light blue).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Summary of the first 10 progress test results from the winter semester 2003 to the summer semester 2008, divided into overall results of all questions, pre-clinical questions, questions on cross-sectional areas and clinical questions and separated into MSM students and RSM students who had unsuccessfully applied for the MSM (RSMb), and those who had not applied (RSMn).
Figure 4
Figure 4. Results of self-assessment of students of the 10th Semester with regard to the (full or almost full) achievement of the training objectives of the MSM as a percentage of participants (n=32/32 in the MSM, 127/187 in the RSM).
Figure 5
Figure 5. Results of teaching staff assessment of students of the 10th Semester with regard to the (full or almost full) achievement of the training objectives of the model study course as a percentage of participants (n=85/375).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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