[Undergraduate education on chronic wound care at German medical schools--the role of surgical disciplines].

INTRODUCTION

In response to the problem of chronic wounds, we decided to investigate the status of chronic wound care in undergraduate medical programs in Germany.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The deans of medical schools in Germany and all relevant instructors of dermatology, surgery, internal medicine and general medicine, pathology and health care of the elderly at 32 universities in Germany were asked to fill out a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The mean teaching time is 7 hours [0.75-16.5]. The lessons covered clinical entities such as venous ulcer (21 %), diabetic (18 %) and arterial ulcer (12 %), decubital ulcers (13 %), ulcers with vasculitis (11 %), burns (9 %) and neoplastic ulcers (4 %), or others (12 %). The respective material is taught in approximately two-thirds as a lecture and one-third in seminars and practical sessions. Only in 6 % of the cases a practical examination is performed.

DISCUSSION: Undoubtedly 7 hours of teaching on chronic wound care are not sufficient. Stringent coordination of the medical education at each university and practical examinations may improve student education.