Another hurdle taken
Neuruppin, 11 May 2020
The IMPP (National Institute for Medical and Pharmaceutical Examination Questions) reports that 40 out of 42 medical MHB students, i.e. the very first cohort, have successfully passed the second medical state examination. A total of 2,682 medical students from 28 medical schools nationwide took the IMPP-organized exam. MHB students had opposed a postponement due to the Corona crisis, and succeeded in convincing the Brandenburg authorities to conduct the exam in compliance with regulations on distance and hygiene.
In a first statement MHB president Prof. Edmund Neugebauer congratulated all students who mastered this hurdle in the current difficult conditions: “Another remarkable aspect is that all 42 students sat the exam within the standard period of studies, which is indeed rare for medical students. In direct comparison of correctly answered questions, MHB students rank just below the average of participants. Statistical comparison of results is, however, difficult due to non-participation of some medical schools and differences in reference groups. We are going to analyse the results achieved and look for ways to further improve instruction and support our students even more in preparation for this exam.”
Personal suitability and motivation for the medical profession
“Our main focus was and is not necessarily on best possible exam results but – apart from theoretical knowledge – on practical expertise and interaction with patients. This is why we select applicants less on the basis of school-leaving grades and more for personal suitability and motivation for the medical profession. The subsequent third stage of the medical exam following the Practical Year with an oral-practical part in hospital settings will be a good opportunity for our students to demonstrate their particular capabilities. But today we are highly pleased to see that this M2 examination is a further step towards the graduation of the first physicians to be trained in and for the state of Brandenburg.”
Focus on general medicine and communicative competences
Neugebauer on the special features of the MHB: “Over the past months and years we received much praise for our innovative, science-based and practice-oriented medical curriculum. We already meet many of the requirements which federal and state authorities have decided to include in their Master plan 2020 for educating the next generation of physicians, such as a stronger focus on general medicine and communicative skills, earlier and more pronounced practice orientation, integration of theoretical knowledge and clinical training, and inter-professional training. Our admission procedures where an applicant’s personality, dedication and motivation for the medical profession count more than school-leaving grades correspond to the criteria listed in the Master plan 2020 and recently demanded by the Constitutional Court. We also give more weight to social and communicative skills and previous activities in fields related to medicine. We prefer applicants who wish to become medical doctors, have an interest in people and can image to work as a doctor in Brandenburg.”
The first medical MHB students started in April 2015, at the very first medical school in the state of Brandenburg. Physicians and hospitals joined forces with municipal partners and church institutions to initiate the foundation of the MHB in 2014. The main objectives were to overcome the shortage of physicians (and psychologists) and proactively contribute to best possible patient care in Brandenburg.
Medical examination
The first stage of the medical state examination (M1) has a written and an oral-practical part. The second stage (M2) takes place prior to the start of the Practical Year, after the 10th semester as a rule, and comprises a written exam to be sat on three subsequent days with a total of 320 multiple-choice questions. The third and last stage (M3) is taken after completion of the Practical Year in the form of an oral and practical part in university hospital settings on two subsequent days, and involves real patients.
Having successfully completed this exam, medical graduates may apply for the licence to practise medicine.
For a detailed list of results see the link at the bottom of the German website.
