MediC students learn about the tasks of the public health service
In October and November, the 50 first-year students in the current winter semester of the model degree programme in human medicine at TU Dresden (MEDiC - studying medicine in Chemnitz) get to know the tasks of the public health service at the Office for Health and Prevention of the City of Chemnitz.
During the career exploration, they find out what the public health service is responsible for overall and learn the difference between individual and population medicine before they get a taste of practice: they look over the colleagues' shoulders as they work:They look over the shoulders of the colleagues at the office during their work, sit in on school enrolment examinations in the paediatric and youth medical service, visit the tuberculosis care department, get to know the social psychiatric service or the areas of municipal hygiene and infection protection as well as the sexual health advice centre and the public medical service. They have the opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas in depth with experienced colleagues.
"We are very pleased about this cooperation with the MediC model degree programme. For us, the career exploration programme offers the opportunity to introduce students to the third pillar of the healthcare system, namely the public health service. Unlike in a clinic or GP practice, our focus is not on individual patient care, but on how the population as a whole can stay healthy or become healthier," says Head of Department Katja Uhlemann. "The pandemic has clearly shown how important this sector is. At the same time, our day-to-day tasks are far more varied than most people realise. If some of the students keep working in the health department in mind as an exciting career option, we will have achieved a lot. However, we also support the model degree programme in human medicine above all because we know how important it is to have regional roots. Where you study is often where you later settle professionally. It is therefore a matter of course for us to get involved."
At the beginning of next year, the Office of Health and Prevention is planning to offer students the opportunity to accompany a forensic pathologist during a coroner's inquest as a further optional programme.
The close integration of theory and practice from the first day of medical studies is the special feature of the model degree programme. So far, 200 students have enrolled on the programme. They are enrolled at the TU Dresden, but complete their training primarily at the Chemnitz Medical Campus of the TU Dresden. In the internship part of the professional field exploration of competence field 1, students are given an initial overview of the various roles of a doctor: as communicators, as members of a team, as health advisors and advocates, as professionals, as medical experts, as responsible persons and managers, and as scholars and visionaries.