DEGAM criteria catalogue for training practices in primary care--a proposal for the assessment of the structural quality of training practices.

Background: Whilst the structure of primary care vocational training in Germany is being increasingly formalized there remains an abundance of disparate locally defined criteria for the training practices. Advanced medical training in the ambulatory setting has also been identified as an area of need by other specialties.

Goal: In contrast to the current practice of a unregulated authorization by regional medical associations this catalogue provide transparent, clearly defined criteria for the assignment of training practice status.

Methods: The first draft of the criteria catalogue integrates feedback from 30 academic general practitioners. The feasibility of the catalogue was tested by a further 30 surgeries. Analysis included an assessment of the sociodemographic characteristics of the trainers and their practices as well as satisfaction of the participants with the approved authorization period.

Results: The criteria catalogue comprises 19 items within the domains of trainer qualification, practice infrastructure and patient specific factors as well as mandatory criteria. The points scored through this system confer a variable period of authorization. Of the 30 participants 17 were satisfied with the period of authorization they received, 10 were dissatisfied, and one was indifferent. Satisfaction showed no correlation with sex, experience as a trainer, or with the score achieved through the criteria catalogue. It correlated little with the length of time practicing as a doctor.

Conclusion: The criteria catalogue reflects both the breadth of general practice as well as the skills of the trainers. Satisfaction of participants in the test group was good, and infers a basis for applying the catalogue through regional medical associations to assign teaching practice status. It may also be used as a blue-print for other medical specialties.