[Expectations of surgical residents for their residency training]

The young generation of surgeons sets new requirements for educational and working conditions. This is frequently interpreted as a lack of motivation to perform; however, instead there is a claim for high-quality training with the aim of acquiring competence in the operative and perioperative setting as well as for responsible working time models.

Aim of this article is to present expectations of surgical residents regarding residency training under current influencing factors, such as a high workload, the new training regulations or expected changes in the hospital landscape and to identify options for optimizing training and working conditions.

In addition to an extensive literature search, this article is based on published opinions and survey results as well as lectures and discussions at congresses held in the past year.

To ensure a modern high-quality education and to maintain enthusiasm for surgery, the need for adjustments and innovation must be recognized and long-requested modifictions to established structures must be implemented. Flexible working models, the structured and transparent implementation of surgical residency training and modern training units, long-term planning of training curricula and new personnel structures with an expansion of teaching and feedback culture are options for improvement.