MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SPECIALTY TRAINING IN GERMANY f.meyer@med.ovgu.de

PE043

MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SPECIALTY TRAINING IN GERMANY

3

 

 

 

 

Germany

Poster Exhibition only

Postgraduate surgical training in Europe varies widely in structure, supervision, and educational philosophy, influencing the quality and consistency of resident formation.

(... & Aim): This paper compares surgical specialty training in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy across several key parameters: access and selection processes, time spent in the operating room, theoretical instruction, opportunities and requirements for research, supervision and mentorship, rotation structure, training duration and flexibility, assessment and certification methods, simulation-based training, autonomy in clinical practice, work-hour regulation, and financial and contractual conditions.

(corner points): - In Germany and Switzerland, training access is decentralized, with candidates applying directly to hospitals through job interviews and training regulated by medical chambers or scientific societies. - Italy, in contrast, follows a centralized system governed by the Ministry of Education, with entry based on a national competitive exam and residency conducted within university-based programs. - Swiss training is characterized by a high degree of standardization and structured evaluation, while Germany offers greater institutional variability. - Italian programs benefit from national curricula but often show heterogeneity in operative exposure and research integration.

This comparative analysis highlights strengths and limitations within each system, offering perspectives on harmonizing surgical education and promoting mobility within the European training landscape.