Table 2.
Comparison of medical students’ assessments of the online-based (n = 99) versus the conventional (n = 277) 2-week GP clerkship
| Online-based | Conventional | Significance | Online-based vs. conventional* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | mean ± SD | mean ± SD | p | |
| General | scale: 1 = totally … 6 = not at all | |||
| My expectations regarding the goals and topics of the mandatory clerkship have been fulfilled. | 2.3 ± 1.0 | 2.3 ± 1.3 | 0.261 | = |
| During the mandatory clerkship I learned professionally. | 1.8 ± 0.9 | 2.5 ± 1.3 | < 0.001 | + |
| During the mandatory clerkship, there was the opportunity for a professional exchange with my teaching physician. | 1.4 ± 0.9 | 1.9 ± 1.3 | < 0.001 | + |
| The mandatory clerkship encouraged me to further deepen my self-study of the topics covered. | 2.4 ± 1.4 | 2.9 ± 1.4 | 0.001 | + |
| Measured in terms of time and organizational effort, participation in the mandatory clerkship was worthwhile. | 2.4 ± 1.3 | 2.6 ± 1.5 | 0.191 | = |
| How well or poorly were you taught new skillsor attitudes in your mandatory clerkship on the following topics? | scale: 1 = very well … 6 = very poorly | |||
| Detection of common diseases in general practice and their therapy | 1.8 ± 0.8 | 2.0 ± 1.1 | 0.047 | + |
| Prescriptions (prescriptions, medicines, physiotherapy, incapacity to work, etc.) | 3.5 ± 1.3 | 2.6 ± 1.3 | < 0.001 | - |
| Preventive measures (prevention of a later serious illness, e.g., hypercholesterolemia, obesity) | 2.2 ± 1.0 | 2.5 ± 1.3 | 0.135 | = |
| Screening measures (preventive examinations, e.g., check-ups, cancer screening) | 2.6 ± 1.1 | 2.2 ± 1.3 | 0.001 | - |
| Importance of family medicine | 2.9 ± 1.3 | 2.7 ± 1.4 | 0.093 | = |
| Home visits (indication, procedure, frequency) | 2.5 ± 1.2 | 2.6 ± 1.5 | 0.643 | = |
| Communication/conversation skills (also with difficult patients, compliance problems) | 3.3 ± 1.5 | 2.2 ± 1.5 | < 0.001 | - |
| Meeting patient expectations | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 2.2 ± 1.2 | < 0.001 | - |
| Care of the chronically ill | 2.6 ± 1.2 | 2.0 ± 1.1 | < 0.001 | - |
| Vaccinations | 2.3 ± 1.1 | 1.8 ± 1.3 | < 0.001 | - |
| Physical examination techniques | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 2.3 ± 1.4 | < 0.001 | - |
| Instrumental diagnostics in general practice | 3.4 ± 1.3 | 2.8 ± 1.5 | < 0.001 | - |
| Questions about contact with the supervising teaching physician | scale: 1 = totally … 10 = not at all | |||
| I was motivated by the teacher to become a general practitioner myself later. | 4.1 ± 2.6 | 5.0 ± 2.9 | 0.016 | + |
| The teaching physician was able to explain everything well to me. | 2.0 ± 2.0 | 2.7 ± 2.3 | < 0.001 | + |
| The clerkship was far too theoretical. | 5.7 ± 2.6 | 8.5 ± 1.9 | < 0.001 | + |
| The demands on me were too high. | 7.0 ± 2.3 | 8.7 ± 2.0 | < 0.001 | + |
| Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the mandatory clerkship. | 2.8 ± 1.9 | 3.4 ± 2.7 | 0.474 | = |
*+ higher rating in online-based compared to conventional, = same rating …, – lower rating …