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Supervisors' perspective on medical thesis projects and dropout rates: survey among thesis supervisors at a large German university hospital.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To identify underlying causes for failure of medical thesis projects and the constantly high drop-out rate in Germany from the supervisors' perspective and to compare the results with the students' perspective. SETTING:Cross-sectional survey. Online questionnaire for survey of medical thesis supervisors among the staff of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. Published, earlier longitudinal survey among students for comparison. PARTICIPANTS:1069 thesis supervisors participated. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS:Data are presented using descriptive statistics, and the χ2 test served to compare the results among supervisors with the earlier data from the longitudinal survey of doctoral students. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES:Not applicable. This survey is an observational study. RESULTS:Of 3653 potential participants, 1069 (29.3%) supervising 3744 doctoral candidates participated in the study. Supervisors considered themselves to be highly motivated and to offer adequate supervision. On the other hand, 87% stated that they did not feel well prepared for thesis supervision. Supervisors gave lack of timeliness of doctoral students and personal differences (p=0.024 and p=0.001) as the main reasons for terminating thesis projects. Doctoral students predominantly mentioned methodological problems and difficult subjects as critical issues (p=0.001 and p<0.001). Specifically, students felt ill prepared for the statistical part of their research-49.5% stated that they never received statistical assistance, whereas 97% of supervisors claimed to help their students with statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS:The authors found that both thesis supervisors and medical students feel ill prepared for their roles in the process of a medical dissertation. Contradictory reasons for terminating medical thesis projects based on supervisors' and students' self-assessment suggest a lack of communication and true scientific collaboration between supervisors and doctoral students as the major underlying issue that requires resolution.

SUBMITTER: Can E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5073490 | biostudies-other | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Supervisors' perspective on medical thesis projects and dropout rates: survey among thesis supervisors at a large German university hospital.

Can Elif E Richter Felicitas F Valchanova Ralitsa R Dewey Marc M

BMJ open 20161014 10

<h4>Objectives</h4>To identify underlying causes for failure of medical thesis projects and the constantly high drop-out rate in Germany from the supervisors' perspective and to compare the results with the students' perspective.<h4>Setting</h4>Cross-sectional survey. Online questionnaire for survey of medical thesis supervisors among the staff of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. Published, earlier longitudinal survey among students for comparison.<h4>Participants</h4>1069 thesis sup ...[more]

PMID: 27742631

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Project description:ObjectivesNon-publication and publication bias are topics of considerable importance to the scientific community. These issues may limit progress toward the 3R principle for animal research, promote waste of public resources, and generate biased interpretations of clinical outcomes. To investigate current publishing practices and to gain some understanding of the extent to which research results are reported, we examined publication rates of research projects that were approved within an internal funding program of the Faculty of Medicine at a university medical center in Germany, which is exemplary for comparable research funding programs for the promotion of young researchers in Germany and Europe.MethodsWe analyzed the complete set (n = 363) of research projects that were supported by an internal funding program between 2004 and 2013. We divided the projects into four different proposal types that included those that required an ethics vote, those that included an animal proposal, those that included both requirements, and those that included neither requirement.ResultsWe found that 65% of the internally funded research projects resulted in at least one peer-reviewed publication; this increased to 73% if other research contributions were considered, including abstracts, book and congress contributions, scientific posters, and presentations. There were no significant differences with respect to publication rates based on (a) the clinic/institute of the applicant, (b) project duration, (c) scope of funding or (d) proposal type.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore publication rates associated with early-career medical research funding. As >70% of the projects ultimately generated some form of publication, the program was overall effective toward this goal; however, non-publication of research results is still prevalent. Further research will explore the reasons underlying non-publication. We hope to use these findings to develop strategies that encourage publication of research results.

Project description:BackgroundMany patients admitted to a hospital are already colonized with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) including third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (3GCREB). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of rectal 3GCREB colonization at admission to a large German university hospital and to estimate infection incidences. In addition, risk factors for 3GCREB colonization were identified.Materials/methodsIn 2014 and 2015, patients were screened for rectal colonization with 3GCREB and filled out a questionnaire on potential risk factors at admission to a non-intensive care unit (non-ICU). All patients were retrospectively monitored for bacterial infections. Descriptive, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for 3GCREB colonization at admission.ResultsOf 4,013 patients included, 10.3% (n = 415) were rectally colonized with 3GCREB at admission. Incidence of nosocomial infections was 3.5 (95% CI 2.0-6.1) per 100 patients rectally colonized with 3GCREB compared to 2.3 (95% CI 1.8-3.0, P = 0.213) per 100 3GCREB negative patients. Independent risk factors for 3GCREB colonization were prior colonization / infection with MDRO (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.59-3.32), prior antimicrobial treatment (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.59-2.45), male sex (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12-1.70), prior travelling outside Europe (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.77-3.22) and places of residence in the Berlin districts Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06-2.18), Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.44-3.74) and Mitte (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.26-2.36).ConclusionsAdmission prevalence of rectal colonization with 3GCREB was high, while infection incidence did not significantly differ between patients rectally colonized or not with 3GCREB at hospital admission. In consequence, hospitals should prioritize improvement of standard precautions including hand hygiene to prevent infections among all patients irrespective of their 3GCREB status at hospital admission.

Project description:Background:Bloodstream infections (BSI) are among the most frequently documented healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Central and peripheral venous catheters (CVC and PVC) are relevant risk factors for BSI. Although the risk for BSI is higher for CVC, PVC are utilized more frequently and are therefore relevant in the context of HAI prevention. Robust data on the prevalence of PVC and associated infections in German hospitals are scarce to this date. The objectives of this survey were to estimate the prevalence of PVC and PVC-associated infections on peripheral wards of a large tertiary care hospital in Germany. The collected data may be utilized for a tailored infection prevention intervention in the future. Methods:A point prevalence survey was conducted on peripheral wards of a tertiary care hospital with more than 3.000 beds. Data were collected between August 2017 and February 2018. Standardized data collection forms were used for collecting ward, patient and PVC-related data. As endpoints, prevalence of patients with PVC, PVC-associated infections and PVC without usage in the 24 h prior to the survey and without documentation of intended usage in the 24 h after the survey ("unused PVC") were chosen. For data analysis, Kruskal-Wallis test was employed for continuous variables and Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Multivariable analysis and logistic regression were performed for the endpoint unused PVC. Results:Data from 2.092 patients on 110 wards were collected. The overall prevalence of patients with PVC was 33%. Infections were recorded in 16 patients. Except one case of BSI, these were all local infections at the site of insertion. Of 725 documented PVC, 77 (11%) were unused PVC. Multivariate analysis and logistic regression revealed wards with the practice of regularly obtaining blood from PVC, PVC with dirty or loose insertion dressing, pediatric ward specialty and last inspection of the PVC more than 1 day ago as significant risk factors for unused PVC. Conclusions:A substantial proportion of patients presented with a PVC on the day of survey. Too few infections were recorded to allow for more detailed analyses. Various risk factors for unused PVC were identified. We hereby present a solid method to obtain an overview about PVC use and to increase awareness for PVC-associated risks. The limitations of point prevalence surveys have to be recognized.

Project description:BackgroundSince June 2002, revised regulations in Germany have required "Emergency Medical Care" as an interdisciplinary subject, and state that emergency treatment should be of increasing importance within the curriculum. A survey of the current status of undergraduate medical education in emergency medical care establishes the basis for further committee work.MethodsUsing a standardized questionnaire, all medical faculties in Germany were asked to answer questions concerning the structure of their curriculum, representation of disciplines, instructors' qualifications, teaching and assessment methods, as well as evaluation procedures.ResultsData from 35 of the 38 medical schools in Germany were analysed. In 32 of 35 medical faculties, the local Department of Anaesthesiology is responsible for the teaching of emergency medical care; in two faculties, emergency medicine is taught mainly by the Department of Surgery and in another by Internal Medicine. Lectures, seminars and practical training units are scheduled in varying composition at 97% of the locations. Simulation technology is integrated at 60% (n = 21); problem-based learning at 29% (n = 10), e-learning at 3% (n = 1), and internship in ambulance service is mandatory at 11% (n = 4). In terms of assessment methods, multiple-choice exams (15 to 70 questions) are favoured (89%, n = 31), partially supplemented by open questions (31%, n = 11). Some faculties also perform single practical tests (43%, n = 15), objective structured clinical examination (OSCE; 29%, n = 10) or oral examinations (17%, n = 6).ConclusionEmergency Medical Care in undergraduate medical education in Germany has a practical orientation, but is very inconsistently structured. The innovative options of simulation technology or state-of-the-art assessment methods are not consistently utilized. Therefore, an exchange of experiences and concepts between faculties and disciplines should be promoted to guarantee a standard level of education in emergency medical care.

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Supervisors' perspective on medical thesis projects and dropout rates: survey among thesis supervisors at a large German university hospital.

Publications

Supervisors' perspective on medical thesis projects and dropout rates: survey among thesis supervisors at a large German university hospital.

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