[Crisis as opportunity - The significance of crisis for moral development during medical training]

The process of becoming a medical specialist is a transformative phase with professional competence as well as personal development. This study examines the role of crisis in the moral development of physicians during their postgraduate training.Based on Carol Gilligan's ethics of care and interviews with 45 physicians in Germany, the study demonstrates that crises can be an opportunity for the reflection on ethical problems and of moral maturity.The results show that more than half of the participants experienced at least one crisis during their training that significantly impacted their emotional and professional balance. Main triggers were workload, challenging patient situations, and conflicts with supervisors. Women were more frequently affected. These crises not only led to professional changes such as job change or temporary career breaks but also influenced the physicians' self-conception and moral values. Profound ethical reflections and changes such as an increased awareness of compassion, and moral integrity were observed. Peer exchange proved to be an important resource in coping with these situations. Many respondents expressed a desire for more structural and institutional support.The study highlights the importance of ethical competencies and interpersonal care in medical training. By integrating ethics of care, physicians can grow not only professionally but also morally, thereby contributing to holistic patient care.