A comparison of medical education in Germany and the United States: from applying to medical school to the beginnings of residency

Zavlin, Dmitry; Jubbal, Kevin T.; Noé, Jonas G; Gänsbacher, Bernd

doi:10.3205/000256

Cited by 41 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(33 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although there are significant similarities in both systems, the approaches per se in undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental education vary significantly. Even though the pathways for obtaining a medical/dental school title are different, the degrees in both countries are considered equivalent in terms of educational credit hours, level, and quality of education [ 14 ]. A similar trend is observed in postgraduate education, particularly in the postgraduate doctorate/Ph.D.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dental Academic Degrees in Germany Compared to the USA

Vargas

Romanos

2022

Dentistry Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There are different avenues for obtaining postgraduate doctoral/Ph.D. degrees in Germany and abroad. Depending on their interests and career plans, candidates can choose a postgraduate doctorate/Ph.D. that focuses on a career in academia or a doctorate that does not involve all elements of a Ph.D. and is obtained for the title’s sake. Germany offers this type of diversity and flexibility, whereas the USA postgraduate doctorate model presents a more structured doctorate. The current article provides insight regarding various and more flexible pathways for obtaining a postgraduate doctorate by comparing the German and the American model. The diversity of academic degrees in dentistry and medicine, such as postgraduate doctoral degrees and the higher postdoctoral degrees available in Germany for graduates interested in academia, makes educational evaluation processes and credentials recognition challenging. The lack of transparency and a systematic approach for the academic acknowledgment of the different scientific values of each doctorate type is creating confusion, primarily when German postgraduate doctorate holders pursue academic careers internationally. The current article aims to enhance the knowledge about the different academic degrees and facilitate the educational evaluations, specialty applications, and employment processes. Understanding the additional scientific value of each doctorate type offered in Germany is imperative for their credential recognition internationally.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dental Academic Degrees in Germany Compared to the USA

Vargas

Romanos

2022

Dentistry Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The current "Regulation of the Licensing of Doctors" (Approbationsordnung für Ärzte) in Germany includes a written medical licensing examination for prospective physicians [24]. This exam is divided into two parts: the first part (also called Erster Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung) and the second part (termed Zweiter Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung) [25,26]. The second part covers the entire spectrum of the clinical sciences and consists of a written test and a combined practical and oral exam.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition Coverage in Medical Licensing Examinations in Germany: An Analysis of Six Nationwide Exams

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The state of nutrition education in medicine is inadequate, with nutrition-related topics being poorly integrated into lectures. Most medical students receive only a few contact hours of nutrition instruction during their entire time at medical school. Identifying potential barriers that may explain the paucity of nutritional knowledge in medical students is thus of paramount importance. The extent of nutrition coverage in the second part of Germany’s nationwide medical licensing exam is currently unknown. We addressed this issue and assessed nutrition content, as well as students’ scores, in this pivotal test prior to their graduation. We performed a post hoc analysis of six nationwide medical licensing examinations (2018–2020) undertaken by 29,849 medical students and screened 1920 multiple-choice questions for nutrition-related content. Nutrition-related questions accounted for a minority of the questions (2.1%, n = 40/1920). A considerable number of the questions (n = 19) included only a single nutrition-related answer option that was frequently incorrect and served as a distractor. About 0.5% of questions were entirely nutrition related. Despite undeniable barriers, the inclusion of additional nutrition-related examination questions could serve as an incentive to engage students and medical schools in enhancing medical nutrition education. The recently published competence-oriented learning objective catalog in Germany could play a pivotal role in this context, leading to better recognition of nutrition-related topics in medical education.

show abstract

“…In contrast to other countries, e.g. the USA, the German “integrated medical curriculum […] begins right after high school and consists of a two-year long pre-clinical segment teaching basic sciences and a four-year clinical segment leading medical students to the practical aspects of medicine” (Zavlin et al , 2017). Numerical data were presented as means (with standard deviations), frequencies, percentages and sums.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital medical education and students’ mental health: effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

Michaeli

Keough

Strotzer

et al. 2021

JMHTEP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Medical education was challenged and re-imagined during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine the consequent changes in medical school curricula alongside students’ mental and physical health. Design/methodology/approach It is observed that 549 medical students (response rate: 79.7%) from 31 of 37 public medical schools in Germany completed a cross-sectional online survey. Students answered questions regarding teaching, internet use, COVID-19 and well-being. A multivariate logistic regression examined factors associated with depressed mood, insomnia and headache. Findings Academic teaching moved to a virtual environment (91%), whilst practical activities were suspended or cancelled (88%). Virtual teaching modality, quantity and quality were well-perceived, yet 35% of respondents were dissatisfied with their internet connection. Consequently, students worried about the pandemic’s adverse effect on their quality as a doctor (60%) and thought about postponing their studies (30%). Students were frequently engaged in the treatment of COVID-19 patients (36%). Daily screen time was significantly associated with depressed mood, insomnia and headache. Negative changes in mental and physical health were frequently observed. Research limitations/implications Students’ experience with digital education during the COVID-19 pandemic was mixed. Whilst teaching modality, quantity and quality were well-perceived, students’ mental and physical health deteriorated. Further longitudinal studies investigating the impact of digital education on students’ well-being are necessary. Practical implications Besides teaching, faculties must quickly digitalize and strengthen social communities and offer targeted support services for students. Originality/value This is the first cross-sectional survey exploring medical students’ experience with virtual medical teaching alongside their mental and physical well-being in Germany.

show abstract

A comparison of medical education in Germany and the United States: from applying to medical school to the beginnings of residency

Cited by 41 publications

References 28 publications

Dental Academic Degrees in Germany Compared to the USA

Dental Academic Degrees in Germany Compared to the USA

Nutrition Coverage in Medical Licensing Examinations in Germany: An Analysis of Six Nationwide Exams

Digital medical education and students’ mental health: effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About