Representation of respiratory medicine in medical curricula in Germany: an online survey among final-year medical students and chief physicians

Background Students' experiences in medical school may have a significant influence on their later choice of medical specialty, but so far, there has been a lack of objective data on how the subject of pneumology is perceived at German medical schools and where there may be potential for improvement. Methods From July to November 2022, we conducted an online survey among final-year students at German medical schools, as well as chief physicians in the field of pneumology. Students were invited to participate by e-mail via their faculties and the survey was further advertised by the Federal Representation of Medical Students in Germany (BVMD). Chief physicians were contacted via the mailing list of the German Respiratory Society (DGP). Results We received n=279 responses from students (from 95% of German medical faculties) and n=53 responses from chief physicians in pneumology. Both groups considered pneumology to be rather underrepresented or underrepresented compared to other specialties in the medical curricula (62% of students, 89% of chief physicians). Students attributed the greatest influence on their career aspirations by far to theoretical knowledge, practical experience during internships, clinical traineeships and the final (practical) year of medical school (89% of responses), with value being attributed to good and appreciative supervision and the opportunity to work independently. In a regression analysis, practical learning experience in the field of pneumology during the final year of medical school was particularly associated with students' later career choice for pneumology. From the students' perspective, practical teaching (91% of responses) as well as other courses requiring personal attendance (51%) should be strengthened. Chief physicians described difficulties recruiting junior staff into the field of pneumology and highlighted the need to stress the importance of the subject and the financing of teaching at medical schools. Discussion Implementation of a more comprehensive, practice-oriented training in respiratory medicine seems essential for promoting the recruitment of the next generation of physicians into the field of pneumology. The results presented in this paper form a basis for giving more weight to pneumology in medical school curricula and serve as an aid for decision-makers at medical faculties and teaching hospitals in Germany.