Analyse der Zielgruppen in der Weiterbildung Allgemeinmedizin: Ergebnisse einer Kohortenstudie im Kompetenzzentrum Weiterbildung Baden-Württemberg (KWBW)

Background

Residents in Family Medicine (FM) decide on their FM training pathway directly at the start of their career (“direct entry”), in the course of their further training (“advanced entry”), or switch to FM from another medical specialty (“lateral entry”). The aim of this study is to characterize the participants of the Competence Center for Postgraduate Medical Training in Baden-Württemberg (Kompetenzzentrum Weiterbildung Baden-Württemberg, KWBW) in target groups (target audience).

Methods

An ongoing cohort study has been conducted at the KWBW since 2016. All FM trainees receive a self-designed questionnaire with 54 items on socio-demographic data and previous professional experience when they enter the program. Between 11/2020 and 12/2021, an additional questionnaire containing 21 items on motivation for FM training was used. The data was analyzed descriptively and semi-qualitatively.

Results

Of 929 new trainees, n = 883 took part in the survey (response rate 95.2 %). Of these, 50.9 % entered the program at an advanced stage of their training (AEs, n = 450), 24.5 % were direct entrants (DEs, n = 216), and 23.8 % were lateral entrants (LEs, n = 210). AEs more likely had children than DEs (p < 0.001), and they were more frequently female than DEs or LEs (p = 0.02). The motivators for training in FM included: the continuity of FM care for patients, the compatibility of career and care work, the broad mix of patients, and difficult working conditions in hospitals.

Discussion and conclusions

There were life-stage-specific differences between the three subgroups entering the KWBW. The motivation for FM Spezilisation also differs between DEs, AEs and LEs. A strict separation of learners into DEs, AEs and LEs contradicts competence- and motivation-enhancing peer learning.

The differentiation of FM trainees into AEs, DEs and LEs helps understand different life circumstances and learning needs and fosters target group-specific support. Internal differentiation in the program enables target group-specific and learner-centered offers and thus increases the attractiveness of a Competence Center for Postgraduate Medical Training for all FM trainees.