Physician’s role(s): Conceptual redesign and implementation of the lecture series “Introduction to clinical medicine” for the promotion of professional identity formation based on the physician’s roles of the CanMEDS framework

Aim: The CanMEDS framework of the Royal college of physicians and surgeons of Canada and its role profile were originally contrived for the training of specialist physicians. But they also deliver an ideal teaching content to engage undergraduate medical students with the examination of their own professional development as well as with the institutional and social expectations of physicians. Integrating the physician’s roles of CanMEDS into teaching can thus be recognized as an element of professional identity formation. As an example, the article presents a lecture series of the TUM Medical Education Center that implements the CanMEDS framework in its current version from 2015 into its teaching. Method: The article showcases the lecture series “Introduction to clinical medicine” that underwent a reconceptualization and gradual redesign starting with the 2022 winter semester. The general structure as well as content-specific outlines of the lecture series are presented in line with the respective roles of the CanMEDS framework. Special attention is payed to the applied teaching methods of the lecture series (impulse-based teaching, panel discussions, photo competition). Results: After currently two iterations assessments deliver a so far very positive résumé. Comprised of direct gradings as well as text comments by the students the evaluation offers first insights into the reception of the contents and methods (interactivity, reflective practice and duration). Conclusion: The positive feedback regarding the redesign so far is an encouragement for further adjustments in the chosen direction. A next step is to establish the used methods on a broader basis in lectures that involve elements of professional identity formation.