Evaluation of a structured, longitudinal training program for the preparation for the second state exam (M2) - a quantitative analysis

Introduction: The implementation of the amendment to the German medical licensing regulations ("Approbationsordnung'') in 2002 led to a reduction in the number of state examinations from four to two exams, with the date of the second state exam being shifted to the end of the final clinical year. Students now face a double burden: on the one hand, they need to get ready for their future job, and on the other hand, they need to prepare for the state exam. This is why the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg introduced a preparation programme for the second state exam. The focus of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of the different modules of this programme and to compare the results against each other. Methods: 39 students (15 male / 24 female; mean age 26.6 +/- 1.9 years) took part in the exam preparation programme at the Medical University Hospital Heidelberg. Five different modules were implemented: an informational meeting, a key-feature written exam, case-based multiple-choice exams, a simulated practical examination and a simulated oral examination. Acceptance was measured using a six-point Likert scale (1 = very good, 6 = unsatisfactory and 1 = I completely agree, 6 = I completely disagree, respectively) Results: The exam preparation programme as a whole was rated good: overall rating key-feature written exam 3.33 +/- 1.17; case-based multiple-choice exams 2.61 +/- 1.61; simulated practical exam 1.61 +/- 0.54; simulated oral exam 1.55 +/- 0.50. A comparison of the different modules demonstrated significantly better ratings for the practical and oral examinations than the case-based multiple-choice exams (p < 0.001). Discussion: The presented exam preparation programme is well accepted and facilitates the preparation for the second state exam, particularly with regard to the oral-practical examination.