[Surgical Training in Germany: Desire and Reality]

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Healthcare Quality

Background:

• Surgical education and practical skills training in German hospitals lack standardization.
• Significant variations exist in teaching content and methodologies across institutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of current surgical education and practical skills training in German hospitals.
• To assess the frequency, type, and quality of surgical training programs.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was conducted among members of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV).
• Prospective data collection involved junior physicians/consultants/senior physicians and chief physicians.
• A 30-question questionnaire addressed various aspects of in-house surgical education and training.

Main Results:

• 325 physicians participated, representing diverse hospital types.
• 75.4% of junior physicians reported regular formal surgical training, while 21.6% reported irregular training.
• Assistance in surgical substeps (72%) and practical teaching of basic skills (71%) were highly valued by participants.

Conclusions:

• The survey highlights the current state of surgical education and training in Germany.
• Implementing pragmatic approaches like operational assistance and guided practical training can improve physician satisfaction.
• Standardization and enhancement of surgical training are crucial for developing competent surgeons.