[Postgraduate education in surgery and surgical specialties]

Accreditation system of postgraduate training in surgery was started by the Japan Surgical Society (JSS) in 1979, and since then more than 6,800 surgeons has been certified by examination performed by JSS in general surgery. This accreditation system has greatly contributed to the improvement of postgraduate training in general surgery in Japan; since the start of this system operative experiences of surgical residents have increased by 40% and reached to the level of 580 during the 4-year period. In order to further improve the level and quality of surgical care of the patients in Japan, it may be necessary to reform and adjust the accreditation system of postgraduate training in clinical specialties which was started quite separately by each medical specialty society. Probably, to establish a board for each medical specialties should become necessary in the near future to be officially recognized in the medical system of Japan.