Mentoring für zukünftige Allgemeinmediziner - Bedarfsorientierte Konzeption, Begleitung und Evaluation eines Mentoringprogramms für Ärzte in Weiterbildung zum Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin in Hessen

The shortage of general practitioners in Germany, particularly in rural areas, is an increasing problem. The situation has developed because a large number of doctors will be giving up their private practices in the near future, and there is a lack of potential and actual successors to replace them. One reason for a shortage of young doctors may be that specialist training in general practice is not attractive enough. The present paper therefore looked at the need for support among doctors undergoing specialist training (DuST) to become a specialist in general practice in the German state of Hesse. The aim of the dissertation was to develop a mentoring program that is tailored to fulfil the needs of DuST and takes into account the conditions under which general practice training is conducted in Hesse, as well as to analyze the training program itself. A mixed-methods approach was chosen to answer the research question. The first two questions were answered using a needs analysis (pre-evaluation). This consisted of a literature search, two questionnaire surveys and structured interviews (n=23) conducted with the first participants in the mentoring program before it actually began. The aims and the development of a concept to achieve them were based on the results. At regular meetings of the mentoring group (two hours, four times a year) around 10 DuST received organizational and personal support from an experienced specialist in general practice and a graduate in educational science. As part of the Vocational Academy, the Competence Centers for Specialist Training in General Practice in Hesse provided the mentoring program in addition to the accompanying seminars. The intervention examined two parallel mentoring groups with a total of 23 DuST for a total of one year. The evaluation also involved structured interviews (n=21) with the same interview partners one year after participation in the mentoring program, as well as evaluation sheets (n=164) that were filled out by the mentors and mentees after each meeting. The concept of theme-centered interaction (TCI) provided the theoretical background for the organization of the mentoring group meetings, for the development of survey instruments, and for interpreting the data. The needs analysis showed that DuST in general practice need support. They seek discussions with other DuST and require a reliable contact person that supports them in case of doubts and questions concerning the training. They expressed an interest in regular meetings in fixed groups in which subjects relating to the organization of the specialist training and preparation for the specialist examinations could be discussed. The evaluation showed that DuST felt the program provided them with necessary support. The regular exchange with other DuST and the mentors promoted identification with general practice. DuST that were dissatisfied with their current training situation but were able to develop a strong feeling of belonging in their mentoring groups benefited particularly. In parallel to the mentoring groups, the participants also took part in the seminar program provided by the Vocational Academy in Hesse. The two programs complement one another and represent important building blocks in the organization of attractive specialist training courses in general practice.