Medical Education and Didactics Network
 

MED-NET Conferences 1998, Lille & 1999, Maastricht
Anthology of presentations 1.

Introduction

J. de Koning (Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

The general aim of the thematic network MED-NET is to improve academic medical education in Europe at undergraduate level, at post-graduate level, and as a continuing, life-long learning activity. The network is active in identifying information needs and actual issues, in promoting and facilitating co-operation, exchange of experiences, and mobility. On its web-site (med-net.nl), in newsletters, monographs and at annual conferences the network provides information and a forum for discussion and communication concerning actual topics and issues in medical education in Europe. 

At the threshold of the fourth conference, I am pleased to present this Med-Net monograph. It contains a selection of articles, reports, and posters presented at previous conferences (1998, Lille and 1999, Maastricht). The monograph is structured according to distinct themes. Each chapter consists of some complete articles followed by short presentations of sheets or abstracts. 

In chapter two, 'Education Survey' an actual status is presented of the educational systems and structures in the EU member states. Also individual developments and plans are reported. In general we may conclude that medical education at most European Medical Faculties is in a transition or developing phase. Obviously the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Medical Training of the European Union (1993), had a clear impact and form a guideline for innovation and harmonisation of the medical education. 

This impact is demonstrated in various 'cases of good practice'. These are described in chapter three, 'Curriculum Innovation'. 

There are significant developments in our society which have, or should have, a considerable impact on the debate concerning medical education. These refer to medical technology, communication and information technology, social economics, EU-legislation and the ethical and educational consequences thereof. In Chapter four, 'Actual Issues in medical education', some of these arising topics related to ethical, political, social and economic issues are presented. Chapter five, 'IT in medical education', is mainly concerned with the implications of the 'new economy', i.e. Information and Communication Technology. 

In the efforts to improve the overall quality of the education, professionalisation of teachers is an issue, that becomes increasingly important. The attention for improving the status of teachers seems to be a matter of the innovation strategies of individual faculties, rather than a country-specific issue. Chapter six, 'Quality in medical education', informs on this aspect. 

Keeping in mind the mutual recognition of the medical graduates, and the freedom of establishment of medical practitioners within the European Union, major issues with respect to medical education concern the importance (and priorities) of the required medical competencies. In order to function well as a health care professional in any European country, knowledge of, and the ability to cope with the local health care structures and its peculiarities, are important prerequisites. The cultural, structural, and legal differences in health care systems, but also in the educational systems, cause many complications in many aspects of 'the European dimension' in medical education. 

Chapter seven, 'Students exchange', reports on this complexity, and focus on practical aspects of student and teacher mobility. 

Chapter eight, 'Postgraduate education', gives an overview of the situation concerning the structures and good practices on post-graduate education in the various countries in Europe. 

Although we may not have the illusion of having achieved the ‘Complete Picture’ on Medical Education in Europe by far, we think that in this monograph we collected at least a number of relevant data, topics and issues, that might offer the reader an impression of the interesting but complex medical education landscape in Europe. 

I wish to thank all authors who contributed to this monograph and all who completed inquiries that allowed the authors to collect and interpret the relevant data.


ISBN Number 90.805758.1.X

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Last updated: 23-01-2002
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