The specified course lengths for continuing medical training as cited in this document are minimum requirements that may change from case to case, if the continuing training syllabuses cannot be acquired within the minimum allowed time. The tables below only serve as a general overview of the continuing training periods in the various fields, Schwerpunkte (Specialities) and Zusatz-Weiterbildungen (Extra Qualifications). As mentioned above, continuing training as a Facharzt (Specialist) on in a Schwerpunkt (Specialty) can be followed up in many fields of medicine. There is no obligation to engage in any of the latter courses or in any extra ualification courses.
Examples
The following examples aim to explain the summary table “Facharzt- und hwerpunktkompetenz” (Specialist and Specialty Competence). They specify the minimum time needed for four different “Facharzt” (Specialist) qualifications. At the end of each Specialist, Specialty or Extra Qualification course, the trained doctor must document the required disciplinary competencies by passing an examination in order to gain the relevant title: Specialist, Specialty or Extra Qualification.
Titles for Fachärzte (Specialists)
Candidates who complete their continuing training as a Facharzt (Specialist) in accordance with the prescribed continuing training syllabuses and periods and are able to document the disciplinary competence required for this by passing an examination, will be awarded the title of Facharzt (Specialist).
Zusatzbezeichnungen (Extra Qualifications)
Candidates who gain Extra Qualifications in accordance with the prescribed training syllabuses and periods and are able to document that they have the disciplinary competence required for this by passing an examination will be awarded a Zusatzbezeichnung (Extra Qualification).
Anesthesiology
A doctor must complete at least 60 months (5 years) of continuing medical training to qualify as an Anesthetist.
Surgery
To gain the specialist competencies listed in the table for the field of “Surgery”, a doctor must initially complete at least 24 months (2years) of basic continuing training. This is then followed by specialist continuing surgical training in the desired field. The choice of specialist competencies in the field of surgery are: General Surgery; Vascular Surgery; Cardiac Surgery; Pediatric Surgery; Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery; Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery; Thorax Surgery and Visceral Surgery. In other words: A doctor wishing to gain qualification as a Facharzt (Specialist) in the field of thorax surgery must, for example, complete at least 24 months of basic continuing training plus at least 48 months of subsequent specialist continuing training in thorax surgery. This means 24 months + 48 months = a minimum of at least 72 months (6 years).
Internal Medicine and General Medicine
Continuing training in the fields of “Internal and General Medicine” lasts (a total of) at least: 60 months (5 years) for disciplinary competence (Fachkompetenz) as a “General Practitioner” – 72 months (6 years) for specialist competence (Facharztkompetenz) as an “Internist” and additional disciplinary competencies (e.g. Internist and Pneumologist)”.
Pediatrics
Continuing training in the field of Pediatrics lasts at least 60 months. After passing the final examination, the qualified doctor is given the title: “Facharzt für Kinder- und ugendmedizin” “Paediatrician”. Subsequent specialization, for example in the field of “Neuropaediatrics / Child Neurology”, takes at least 36 months and is completed with a further examination.
Summary Table of Specialist and Specialty Competence
The following table lists the minimum times required for medical continuing training in the various medical fields and Specialty Competencies.
Remarks: The figures listed in this table are based on the Model Continuing Education Rules of the Bundesärztekammer (German Medical Association). The study regulations of the respective Landesärztekammern (State Medical Associations) may differ slightly.
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| Specialization | No of Months | Specialization | Hours |
| Anaesthesiology | 60 | Surgery | 24+48 |
| Anatomy | 48 | Vascular Surgeon | 24+48 |
| Industrial Medicine /Occupational Med | 60 | Cardiac Surgeon | 24+48 |
| Ophthalmology | 60 | Paediatric Surgeon | 24+48 |
| Biochemistry | 48 | Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon | 24+48 |
| Gynaecology and Obstetrics | 60 | Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon | 24+48 |
| Dermatological and Venereal Diseases | 60 | Thorax Surgeon | 24+48 |
| Human Genetics | 60 | Visceral Surgeon | 24+48 |
| Hygiene and Environmental Medicine | 60 | Gynaecological Endocrinology & Reproductive Med | 60+36 |
| Internal and General Medicine | 60 | Gynaecological Oncology | 60+36 |
| Internist: | 60 | Special Obstetrics and Perinatal Medicine | 60+36 |
| Internist and Angiologist | 72 | Ear-Nose-Throat Medicine | 24+48 |
| Internist and Endocrinologist and Diabetologist | 72 | Speech, Voice &Paediatric Hearing DO, Phoniatrician | 24+48 |
| Internist and Gastroenterologist | 72 | Paediatric Haematology and Oncology | 60+36 |
| Internist and Haematologist and Oncologist | 72 | Paediatric Cardiology | 60+36 |
| Internist and Cardiologist | 72 | Neonatology | 60+36 |
| Internist and Nephrologist | 72 | Neuropaediatrics / Child Neurology | 60+36 |
| Internist and Pneumologist | 72 | Pathology | 24+48 |
| Internist and Rheumatologist | 72 | Pathologist | 24+48 |
| Paediatrics | 60 | Pharmacology | 24+48 |
| Paediatric Psychiatry and Psychotherapy | 60 | Pharmacologist and Toxicologist | 24+48 |
| Laboratory Medicine | 60 | Forensic Psychiatrist | 60+36 |
| Microbiology, Virology & Epidemiology | 60 | Paediatric Radiology | 60+36 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 60 | Neuroradiology | 60+36 |
| Neurosurgery | 60 | Psychosomatic Medicine,sychotherapy | 60 |
| Neurology | 60 | Radiology | 60 |
| Nuclear Medicine | 60 | Transfusion Medicine | 60 |
| Public Health | 60 | Urology | 60 |
| Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatrist) | 60 | Forensic Pathology | 60 |
| Physiology | 48 | Radiation Therapy | 60 |
| Psychiatry and sychotherapy | 60 |
Summary Table of Extra Qualifications
In addition to medical continuing training and qualification in the Schwerpunkte (Specialities), doctors wishing to further specialise can gain a Zusatz-Weiterbildung (Extra Qualification). The minimum time needed for the individual disciplinary competencies is as follows: As already mentioned above, such Extra Qualification is not counted as part of the time prescribed for training as a specialist. The following special competencies are gained, in particular, by completing an Extra Qualification course.
| EXTRA QUALIFICATIONS | ||
| S.NO | Extra Qualification | No of Months / hours |
| 1 | Medical Quality Management | 200 hrs |
| 2 | Acupuncture | 120 h + 60 h +20 h |
| 3 | Allergology | 18 m |
| 4 | Andrology | 18 m |
| 5 | Occupational Health | 36 h + 360 h |
| 6 | Dermatological Histology | 24 m |
| 7 | Diabetology | 18 m |
| 8 | Aviation Medicine | 6 m + 180 h |
| 9 | Geriatric Medicine | 18 m |
| 10 | Gynaecological Exfoliative Cytology | No proof of minimal continuing training hrs required |
| 11 | Haemostaseology | 12 m |
| 12 | Hand Surgery | 36 m |
| 13 | Homeopathy | 6 m +160 h |
| 14 | Infectology | 12 m |
| 15 | Intensive Care | 24 m |
| 16 | Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology | 36 m |
| 17 | Paediatric Gastroenterology | 18 m |
| 18 | Paediatric Nephrology | 36 m |
| 19 | Paediatric Orthopaedics | 18 m |
| 20 | Paediatric Pneumology | 36 m |
| 21 | Paediatric Rheumatology | 18 m |
| 22 | Laboratory Diagnosis– subject specific | 6 m |
| 23 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) –subject specific | 24m |
| 24 | Manual Medicine/Chirotherapy | 120 h +200 h |
| 25 | Pharmacological tumour therapy | 12 m |
| 26 | Medical Information Systems | 12 m +360 h +480 h |
| 27 | Naturopathy | 3 m / or 80 h + 160 h |
| 28 | Emergency (Trauma) Medicine | 6 m + 80 h + proof of 50 emergency |
| 29 | Orthopedic Rheumatology | 36m |
| 30 | Palliative Medicine | 12 m + 40 h |
| 31 | Phlebology | 18 m |
| 32 | Physical Therapy and Balneology | 12 m + 240 h |
| 33 | Plastic Operations | 24 m |
| 34 | Proctology | 12 m |
| 35 | Psychoanalysis | 250 h + 240 +600 h |
| 36 | Psychotherapy – subject specific | 100 h + 16 double hr + 15 double hr + 15 double hr + 120 h +100 h + 120 h + 16 double + 15 double hr +15 double hr +15 double +120 h + 100 h |
| 37 | Rehabilitation Medicine | 12 +160 h + 160 h |
| 38 | X-ray Diagnostics – subject specific | 18 m and/or 12 m (depending on the subject) |
| 39 | Sleep Medicine | 18 m |
| 40 | Social Medicine | 12 m +160 h +160 h |
| 41 | Special Orthopaedic Surgery | 36 m |
| 42 | Special Pain Therapy | 12 m + 80 h |
| 43 | Special Trauma Surgery | 36 m |
| 44 | Sports Medicine | 12 m +240 h +120 h |
| 45 | Addiction Medicine | 50 h |
| 46 | Tropical Medicine | 12 h +12 h +3 m |
