Practical medical education in general practice

The Medical Faculty of the University of Limburg in Maastricht, The Netherlands pays special attention to extramural care. The extramural profile of the Medical Faculty also manifests itself in the curriculum. Since 1978, a 12-week clerkship in practical medical training in general practice (PMT-GP) has been offered to fifth-year students. The general aim is to acquaint students with general medical aspects as well as specific primary care aspects of health care. The programme started in the autumn of 1978 with 24 students and 24 GP teachers. At present more than 100 GP teachers, working in about 70 practices, train 120-130 students a year. The model of the PMT-GP system is characterized by six features: a ratio of one GP teacher to one student; autonomous examination by the student of at least 15 patients a week; daily follow-up discussion on the basis of patient records prepared by the student; opportunities for self-study by the student; one tutorial day a week at the Medical Faculty; intensive contacts between the Faculty and GP teachers. Key activities of the PMT-GP include autonomous contacts with patients, written records and daily follow-up discussions with the GP teacher.