Approaches to family-friendliness at the Medical Faculty of Tübingen (MFT)

The feminization of the medical profession, demographic change with an impending shortage of physicians, Generation Y - these issues are new challenges for medical schools in terms of their social responsibility and the training of the next generation of highly qualified scientists. This study, conducted by the University Hospital of Ulm throughout Baden-Württemberg via an online survey provides a valuable data basis which can be used to optimise support activities. A disproportionately high percentage of students with children in Tübingen must, as an additional challenge, cope with a lower than average monthly income. Students with children need organisational support in this doubly challenging situation. The Dean's Office can provide valuable assistance as an advocate (contact with the departments/institutions), provide organisational help (course guidance, individual support) and infrastructure (childcare/changing rooms, etc.). In Tübingen, high intrinsic motivation (willingness to engage in self-managed care networks) is also found amongst students, something that needs to be integrated into the development of the existing support networks.