Background and research question

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of public health services (German: Öffentliches Gesundheitswesen; ÖGW). Currently, the subject “Public health services” is rarely taught in medical studies, and there is no clear framework regarding its content. The National Competency-Based Learning Objectives Catalogue for Medicine (German: Nationaler Kompetenzbasierter Lernzielkatalog Medizin; NKLM) forms the basis for medical education in Germany. Currently, the NKLM includes only a small number of learning objectives recommended to be taught within the subject “Public health services”. There has not yet been a structured process to match learning objectives to this subject.
Objective

In this research project, we aim to consolidate learning objectives for the subject “Public health services” within the NKLM framework, thereby providing guidance to students and faculty regarding recommended content.
Study design and methods

Learning objectives that were preselected (by informal consensus) are prioritized using an internal and an external Delphi method, each consisting of two rounds. Respondents rate the objectives on a 9-point Likert scale. All learning objectives for which ≥ 70% of participants selected a score of 7, 8, or 9 in either round 1 or round 2 will be included in the final catalogue of learning objectives for the subject “Public health service”. The remaining learning objectives will not be included in the subject recommendation.
Conclusion

The systematic mapping of learning objectives in the NKLM, taking into account nationwide expertise from both academia and public health practice, is a crucial first step towards the strengthening of medical expertise in public health in Germany.