ISSUE: In 2012 the German medical licensure regulations (Approbationsordnung) made teaching and assessing the conduction of medical consultations a mandatory part of medical education. A catalogue of learning objectives (LO) based on existing references was developed to assist medical schools in meeting this requirement.

METHODS: A body of relevant material was compiled using literature research and surveying experts. Then, in a multiphase Delphi process, this was evaluated and condensed by an interdisciplinary working group in dialogue with external (clinical) experts. Competence levels and examples of clinical application were assigned to enhance implementation. The catalogue was revised by the medical faculties, professional associations and the BVMD.

RESULTS: This learning catalogue comprised 116 learning objectives for the specific skills necessary to conducting medical consultations as well as exemplary application contexts. The catalogue proved to be practical in terms of developing curricula and networking at medical schools.

DISCUSSION: This catalogue of learning objectives can serve as the basis for developing a sample communication curriculum for use by medical faculties.