[Academic teaching at the department of ophthalmology of the University Clinic of Saarland (UKS) : The Homburg "Ophthalmo-Week"].

BACKGROUND: Academic teaching activities at the department of ophthalmology of the University Clinic of Saarland (UKS) include the teaching of students during the "Ophthalmo-Week" with lectures and bedside teaching according to the academic conditions given by the law for medical schools in Germany, a spezialized course "Anterior Pole to Posterior Pole", teaching of locum students, students in their final year and tuition of PhD students.
PURPOSE: Demonstration of the development of a structured teaching concept for medical students in ophthalmology including blended learning. Description of the problems encountered and the changes made during the transition from ex cathedra teaching to a mixture of lectures and practical hands-on and patient-centered teaching of the current Homburg "Ophthalmo-Week". In addition, the aim is to emphasize the importance of structured and detailed evaluation as a means to continually improve academic teaching.
CONCLUSION: In the light of the current demographic changes and the relative lack of young trainees in many medical specialities in Germany, good academic teaching is becoming more and more important. Good academic teaching including positive evaluations can elucidate the interest of medical students for non-mainstream medical specialties such as ophthalmology. In addition, good and profiled academic teaching promotes research by attracting medical students to apply for PhD work at these hospitals. Furthermore, the profile of the department can be improved in comparison to departments of the same specialty in neighboring universities. Transferability of methods of academic teaching is as important as sustainability. To keep up the high standards of blended learning all medical personnel of the hospital need to be involved during the short-term focused teaching periods.