International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 10, 2019

Medical clerkship in a state registration and reception center for forced migrants in Germany: Students’ experiences, teachable moments, and psychological burden (Article) (Open Access)

Kindermann D.* , Schmid C. , Derreza-Greeven C. , Junne F. , Friederich H.-C. , Nikendei C.
  • a Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
  • b Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
  • c Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
  • d Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
  • e Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
  • f Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany

Abstract

Aspects of global health are becoming increasingly relevant for doctors of future generations. However, medical curricula rarely include courses which focus on global health or forced migration. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether students are at risk to develop psychological strain, after being confronted with highly burdened or even traumatized asylum seekers. This is a prospective study using a mixed-methods approach. We included n = 22 medical students performing a medical clerkship in a state registration and reception center for refugees. By applying (1) qualitative interviews, (2) reflective diaries, and (3) psychometric questionnaires, we examined the students’ experiences, teachable moments, and potential psychological burdens. In the interviews, the students emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity during their clerkship. However, they also reported cognitive changes concerning their views of themselves and the world in general; this could indicate vicarious traumatization. The reflective diaries displayed high learning achievements. According to the psychometric questionnaires, the assignment in the reception center had not caused any significant psychological strain for the students. By completing their medical clerkship in a reception center, students were able to improve their medical, organizational, and interactional knowledge and skills. Furthermore, they reported that they had broadened their personal and cultural horizons. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Global health Refugees Medical curriculum Secondary traumatization Teachable moments Medical clerkship

Index Keywords

curriculum prospective study Culture training Germany refugee mental health human Refugees controlled study Clinical Clerkship clinical education achievement interview cultural sensitivity Surveys and Questionnaires student forced migration Young Adult Humans psychology medicine male female questionnaire clinical article Article receptive field adult migration global health skill Transients and Migrants Students, Medical compassion fatigue medical student Learning registration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066817436&doi=10.3390%2fijerph16101704&partnerID=40&md5=1f82c8ec92403e976a39cb239fa2b6da
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16101704
ISSN: 16617827
Original Language: English