Six years after it was founded, the human medicine degree programme has its first graduates. One of them is Johannes Grone. The young doctor is currently completing his specialist training in Oldenburg. He feels that his studies have prepared him well for everyday medical practice.
He approaches us in the hospital corridor: tall, open-faced, with a friendly smile. Johannes Grone clearly feels at home in his new working environment at Oldenburg Hospital. Just a few months ago, he was one of the first four medical students to graduate from the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen (EMS). "I'm relieved and happy that I did so well in my studies - and now I'm still a little nervous about what everyday life as a doctor really entails," says the 29-year-old native of Göttingen, describing his current emotional state.
Clinic Director Prof. Dr Andreas Weyland is delighted that Grone has decided to complete his specialist training at the University Clinic for Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Pain Therapy (AINS) at the hospital and thus remain in Oldenburg: "He will work with many colleagues over the next five years and get to know all facets of our specialist field." Weyland is certain that the young doctor is well prepared thanks to his studies. "Johannes Grone has already proven that he is resilient, willing to learn and a team player. He has also internalised a patient-oriented approach at the EMS. These are all essential prerequisites for working at our clinic."
"We had the opportunity to be actively involved early on in our studies."
Grone came to the University of Oldenburg in 2012 and secured the last available place to study medicine at the School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences without an A-level. He had plenty of experience in his luggage - gained as a community service volunteer in the ambulance service and while working as a paramedic. Due to his outstanding credits, he received a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship six times and was always among the best. Together with his 39 fellow students, Grone always saw himself as part of the bigger picture: "We had the chance to help shape the degree programme. That's unique," he says, and his enthusiasm is palpable. "Over the next few years, we'll be able to show that we've become good doctors." The young doctor particularly appreciated the personal support and guidance he received from the experienced doctors in the clinics. The practice-orientated teaching concept typical of Oldenburg University Medicine was also important to him. "Even in the early years of our studies, we were sometimes treated like doctors during our practical year. That was very respectful. We also had the opportunity to actively participate very early on and had direct contact with patients."
For Andreas Weyland, these special "Oldenburg advantages" are based on the good combination of theoretical principles and practical and communicative skills in the model degree programme. However, it took time to develop this. It is therefore not surprising that Grone and his fellow students from the first cohort found the degree programme and the compulsory year at the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) to be a real challenge in many respects. "Many structures still had to be established and processes were not yet well-rehearsed at the beginning." Today, he can also take something away from this pioneering role: "I was one of the first to gain practical experience in Groningen. That definitely helped me on my way." Here and there, he was able to gradually feel his way towards being a doctor, which he found to be a great advantage.
The freshly qualified doctor is no longer feeling his way around, the workload remains high. In addition to training as a specialist, Grone is currently working on his doctoral thesis, which he is writing at the University Clinic for General and Visceral Surgery at the Pius Hospital in Oldenburg.
He is also still involved in voluntary work, for example with the volunteer fire brigade or as a doctor on call with the Red Cross. He now calls Oldenburg his home, and he still feels very close to the School. "I can imagine being involved in teaching at some point. I would also like to research anaesthesiology or emergency medicine topics one day," says Grone. The degree programme, which has a lot of research-based learning content, will also have prepared him well for this.
