Abstract
BackgroundComplementary and integrative medical procedures (CIM) play an important role in general practice (GP). Consequently, in some countries (e.g. USA, Australia) specific curricula for the integration of CIM competencies in GP postgraduate education exist. Although Germany is one of the countries where CIM is strongly integrated in general practice, no such catalogue exists up to date. The aim of this study was to define a set of CIM competencies that are seen as relevant and feasible for postgraduate education in the German general practice setting.MethodsWe used a multi-step, peer-based approach combining four different steps. Firstly, a survey among GP trainees (n = 138) was performed in order to assess needs and attitudes towards CIM. Then, existing competency-based CIM curricula were identified in international literature, translated into German and compared with the needs assessment from the survey. In a next step, we performed a survey among the CIM working group of the German Society for General Medicine and Family Medicine (DEGAM). As a last step, in a peer-based survey, GP trainers, GP trainees, and members of professional CIM associations (n = 131) evaluated a list of CIM competencies according to relevance and feasibility for general practice.ResultsWithin this multistage process, a final catalogue of 16 competencies was defined, covering the following areas: Medical knowledge, patient care and communication, practice-based learning, professionalism, and competencies based on the German healthcare system.ConclusionThe final catalogue of CIM competencies is intended to serve for GP training complementing the German competency-based curriculum for general practice. These competencies cover basic skills and are not intended to replace existing additional qualifications awarded by the medical associations in specific CIM methods, such as acupuncture or manual medicine. Therefore, a list of relevant competencies on CIM is available in order to serve as add-on for postgraduate education in general practice in Germany.
Highlights
International literature shows that complementary and integrative medical procedures (CIM) play an important role in general practice (GP) [1, 2]
In our last step, an additional survey was performed in which the list of 20 competencies was evaluated with respect to relevance and feasibility for general practice by GP trainers, GP trainees and members of professional Complementary and integrative medical procedures (CIM) associations. As this was the largest step in our multi-step, peer-based procedure and resulted in the novel CIM catalogue, we have described this in more detail below: Third peer‐based survey Participants and data collection Participants of the third peer-based survey were GP postgraduate trainees enrolled in the postgraduate GP training program of the Competence Center for Postgraduate Medical Education in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (KWBW)
The competencies on CIM included in this novel catalogue are basic competencies intended to serve for GP training
Summary
International literature shows that complementary and integrative medical procedures (CIM) play an important role in general practice (GP) [1, 2]. When compared to other countries as the USA, the number of general practitioners (GPs) providing CIM in Germany is rather high. Complementary and integrative medical procedures (CIM) play an important role in general practice (GP). In some countries (e.g. USA, Australia) specific curricula for the integration of CIM competencies in GP postgraduate education exist. Germany is one of the countries where CIM is strongly integrated in general practice, no such catalogue exists up to date. The aim of this study was to define a set of CIM competencies that are seen as relevant and feasible for postgraduate education in the German general practice setting
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