[Quality assurance of faculty examinations: Optimization of examination management in the Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale (HeiCuMed)].

Introduction: Examinations are a central element of the medical curriculum: they contribute significantly to the quality assurance of medical training and subsequent medical care. In order to meet the high expectations placed on examinations in terms of content, legal and organizational aspects, continuous quality assurance measures are necessary. The aim of this paper was to record and analyze the quality assurance measures implemented at the medical faculty of Heidelberg.

International medical students--a survey of perceived challenges and established support services at medical faculties.

Introduction: Medical students with a non-German background face several challenges during their studies. Besides support given by foreign student offices further specific projects for international students have been developed and are offered by medical faculties. However, so far, neither a systematic survey of the faculties' perceived problems nor of the offered support exists.

Examination performances of German and international medical students in the preclinical studying-term--a descriptive study.

Introduction: Medical students with a migration background face several specific problems during their studies. International surveys show first indications that this group of students performs worse in written, oral or practical exams. However, so far, nothing is known about the performance of international students in written pre-clinical tests as well as in pre-clinical State Examinations for German-speaking countries.

Predictive value of the school-leaving grade and prognosis of different admission groups for academic performance and continuity in the medical course - a longitudinal study.

Background: The school-leaving GPA and the time since completion of secondary education are the major criteria for admission to German medical schools. However, the predictive value of the school-leaving grade and the admission delay have not been thoroughly examined since the amendment of the Medical Licensing Regulations and the introduction of reformed curricula in 2002. Detailed information on the prognosis of the different admission groups is also missing.

The Ulm Study and the implications for the advisory services of the Dean of Studies at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg.

Increasing the flexibility of medical degree courses as well as individual advice and curriculum planning are essential needs of pregnant students and student parents. The results of the Ulm Study gave the academic advisers in the Dean of Studies' office in Heidelberg a large number of suggestions on how to offer sensitive, competent and needs-based advice to this target group. Comprehensive reflection on many years of experience in giving advice and recent survey results leads to a series of concrete measures which will contribute to more family-friendliness in Heidelberg's medical school.