# Medical studies at the University of Freiburg in retrospect – study conditions, study quality and skills acquisition from the perspective of graduates

## TL;DR

This study evaluates how medical students at the University of Freiburg perceive their education and skill development, identifying areas needing improvement.

## Contribution

The paper provides insights into graduate perceptions of study conditions and competence development in Freiburg's medical program.

## Key findings

- Study conditions were largely rated as good, but scientific work areas need optimization.
- Graduates assessed their acquired skills as good to moderate, but lower than required for starting a career.
- Self-assessment of competence was worse than professional requirements in most domains.

## Abstract

As part of the MERLIN project (Medical Education Research – Lehrforschung im Netz BW), funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, graduate surveys were carried out at the Medical Faculty of Freiburg from 2012-2020. This article will primarily address the question of how the study conditions and competence orientation in Freiburg are assessed and where there is still a need for optimization.

The surveys were conducted among graduates of human medicine at the Freiburg Medical Faculty 1.5 years after graduation. Participation was possible using paper and online questionnaires. The response rates were 36%-43%.

The study conditions were largely rated as good. There is a need for optimization, especially in the area of scientific work. The level of skills acquired was assessed as good to moderate. There were discrepancies between the level of competence achieved during the course of study and the level of competence required to start a career.

There is a need for development in terms of preparation for starting a career. Compared to the professionally required level of competence, self-assessment was worse in most competence domains. In Freiburg there are approaches to further promote the acquisition of skills during studies. In order to evaluate these developments and future changes in the context of studies, graduate surveys are relevant.

Graduate surveys are suitable for generating data on the basis of which curriculum design can be carried out or which can be used to prepare for change processes. The surveys in Freiburg will therefore be continued and supplemented with new, needs-based questions.