Professionalism in general practice in Germany - A qualitative approximation; Professionalität in der Allgemeinmedizin in Deutschland - eine qualitative Studie zur Annäherung an das Kompetenzfeld

Abstract

Background Pre- and postgraduate education is meant to be competency-based. Over the last two decades various competency frameworks have been published. One competency is professionalism, a definition of which has not yet been developed but is being discussed in the literature. The aim of this qualitative study is an approximation to professionalism among German general practitioners and general practitioner trainees. Methods A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing seven pairs of GPs and their trainees. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. The analysis was performed according to Mayring supported by the software Atlas.ti. Results Four categories of professionalism emerged: responsibility towards patients, responsibility towards other professionals, responsibility towards the society and responsibility towards oneself. Professionalism was perceived as important for general practice in Germany. In addition, barriers of professional behaviour have been identified. Conclusion The perception of professionalism among German GPs and GP trainees is in accordance with the frameworks of professionalism found in the literature. These results underline the need for conceptualising professionalism among general practice trainees in Germany.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Professionalitat Allgemeinmedizin qualitative Forschung Schlüsselwörter Weiterbildung

Index Keywords

adult clinical competence female human male medical education Humans Article interview curriculum qualitative research general practice Interviews as Topic postgraduate education Germany middle aged educational model Models, Educational competency-based education standard social behavior public health Education, Medical, Graduate public relations Interprofessional Relations professionalism social responsibility health care quality Education, Medical, Continuing Physician-Patient Relations doctor patient relation National Health Programs physician attitude Quality Indicators, Health Care Allgemeinmedizin Professionalität qualitative Forschung Weiterbildung Physician's Role

Author Affiliations

Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Kompetenzzentrum Allgemeinmedizin Baden-Württemberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Funding & Acknowledgements

No funding information

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Professionalism in general practice in Germany - A qualitative approximation; Professionalität in der Allgemeinmedizin in Deutschland - eine qualitative Studie zur Annäherung an das Kompetenzfeld

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