[The Bologna Declaration and its implications for basic medical training].

Abstract

The so-called Bologna process was initiated by the political agreement of ministers of education of different European countries with the objective of creating a common European area of higher education. The content of the agreement was laid down in the declaration of Bologna. Despite lacking legal obligations the implementation of a two-cycle system and the realisation of a general framework for study courses and graduation gained rapid dynamism. Parts of the Declaration of Bologna are without controversy, for example the promotion of mobility by overcoming obstacles to the freedom of movement within the European Union. The structuring of university studies in an undergraduate and a graduate cycle (bachelor/master) may make sense for some study courses but it would be a disaster for medical studies. Not only that the integrative efforts laid down in the new regulation of basic medical studies would be reversed. Much more alarming is the fact that, against the background of a lack of physicians and financial shortages, the two-cycle system would favour the trend to fall back on graduates of paramedical studies in order to ensure medical care. Last but not least the one who has to suffer for it would be the patient.