GMS Z Med Ausbild. 2012;29(4):Doc59. doi: 10.3205/zma000829. Epub 2012 Aug 08.

Homepages of German medical faculties--an overview.

GMS Zeitschrift fur medizinische Ausbildung

Olaf Kuhnigk, Daniela Tiller, Sigrid Harendza, Wolfgang Hampe

PMID: 22916085 PMCID: PMC3420121 DOI: 10.3205/zma000829

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Internet represents a central communication medium for patients and physicians. Some national information is available regarding the design of physicians' homepages and patient requirements regarding homepages of physicians in private practice. To date, no data are available for homepages of medical faculties and their users' needs.

METHODS: In 2008 the homepages of the 36 German medical faculties were analyzed according to a catalogue of 128 criteria assigned to five domains which had been developed from the literature. Structure, content and extent were compared.

RESULTS: The homepages covered the criteria to a very different extent. The best homepage reached 80%, the worst only 26% of the achievable points. The mean was slightly above 50% . Faculties addressed mainly applicants and students as their target groups, less frequently lecturers and alumni.

CONCLUSION: This study shows differences in quality and quantity of the "teaching section" on websites of medical faculties. The results allow faculties to use the criteria to adjust their websites with regard to addressing the relevant target groups of students, applicants, lecturers and alumni comprehensively.

Keywords: internet; medical education; medical faculties; students; websites

References

1. Chirurg. 2001 Sep;72(9):1078-81 - PubMed

MeSH terms

• Cooperative Behavior
• Faculty, Medical*
• Germany
• Humans
• Interdisciplinary Communication
• Internet*
• Software Design
• Students, Medical
• Teaching

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Review