Cardiothoracic Surgical Residency comparison - Germany v USA

Quantitative comparison of case requirements by US and German medical boards: 

(figures represent number of cases)

Application deadline - 15/09/2014

Application deadline - 15/09/2014

Postgraduate medical residency in Germany:


A private hospital group of acute, specialist and rehabilitation clinics based in Germany is currently offering an innovative program for medical graduates with Level B2 certificate from Goethe Institute. 

The eligible candidates will join the hospital in Germany for a 6-month program in January 2015.

During the first 3 months, the hospital will improve candidates' German language skills up to level C1. The emphasis will be on medical language skills.

For the following 3 months, the candidates will work in the hospital under the guidance of a mentor and learn German medical skills.

The total duration of the language + practical skills training is 730 hours.

The candidates will be provided with a single/double bedroom + 3 meals + 100 Euros monthly allowance

Also, during the program, the candidates will have an opportunity to get exposure in all major Medical, Paramedical and Surgical specialties.

Upon successful completion of the program, based on performance, the candidates may be offered a full-time position as an 'Assistant Physician' in the specialty of their choice at one of the hospitals.

Minimum requirements:
- MBBS
- German language proficiency: Level B2 Certificate from Goethe Institute

Note:
Only those candidates who have secured a fully-paid 'Assistant Physician' position in an approved German hospital are eligible to complete the residency (5 - 6 years) and achieve the title of 'Specialist' in Germany.

Please contact me for further information.

Shreyas Brahmbhatt (+91 8866692909)

31,000 immigrant doctors are practicing in Germany

Orthopedic Surgery Residency comparison - Germany v USA

Medical License examination in Germany (Specialist Language Test)

Specialist Language Examination procedure

The specialist language examination should be as practically relevant as possible. All elements are already known from the daily work in the hospital. The examination relates only to the specialist language and not to the basic medical knowledge.

For the specialist language examination, it is not relevant whether a wrong diagnosis is made or an incorrect treatment option is given. Only the language used when dealing with the respective situation is included in the evaluation.

The 60-minute examination is divided into 3 sections of 20 minutes each.

Doctor - patient discussion

Documentation

Doctor - doctor discussion

1. Doctor - patient discussion

The examinee holds an anamnesis interview with a patient. The role of the patient is played by an actor. However, the examinee is to treat him like a normal patient. In this way, the doctor - patient interview can be simulated as it is known from everyday treatment.

This method ensures that each examinee receives an equally difficult case.

The anamnesis interview is carried out exactly as learnt during the degree. After the examinee has formed ​​a picture of the patient, he explains his suspected diagnosis and gives the patient suggestions for further diagnosis and treatment. He should explain to the patient what he considers to be useful measures and respond to questions.

It should be observed that patients are unfamiliar with medical terminology. It is important that the patient can understand the doctor to be tested properly and well.

2. Documentation

In the second section, the examinee is to transfer the anamnesis to an anamnesis sheet. For this, the candidate receives a ready-made form from the Medical Association, as is used, in principal, in every hospital in the area of the chamber.

3. Doctor-doctor discussion

The third section of the examination simulates the situation of a ward round. Here the examinee meets two doctors (for example, a chief physician and a senior physician). The examinee gives the doctors a structured description of the patient seen in section 1.

The discussion partners are doctors, so no layman’s language is to be used, but rather, medical terminology for communication. It is important to clarify the information about the patient in a carefully structured approach. In so doing, the examinee should also explain his own assessment of the situation and his ideas for further treatment.

After the patient presentation, the two doctors will ask some questions on this. The medical colleagues can also submit further documentation on the patient to the examinee for him to evaluate.

Assessment of the examination

Each examinee is assessed by three examiners. The examiners work with structured assessment sheets. After completing the examination, the assessment sheets of the individual examiners are collected and analysed centrally. Each sheet contains a maximum of 20 points. This means that each examinee can attain a maximum of 60 points. To pass the specialist language examination, 60 percent of the maximum number of points, or at least 36 points have to be achieved.

Aids during the examination

At the start of the examination, each examinee is provided with an empty notepad and a pen. The notes are not included in the assessment of the examination. Other aids are not permitted. Also, no luggage, handbags, jackets, coats or the like may be taken into the examination rooms.

During the examination, telephone calls and any contact with uninvolved persons is considered cheating and will lead to failure of the examination.

Pass / fail

The result of the examination is given to the examinee on the day of the examination and the competent district government notified. Further processing takes place there.

The examination is considered passed if the examinee attains at least 60 percent (at least 36 points) of the maximum number of points possible.

The examination is considered failed if the examinee attains less than 60 percent (less than 36 points) of the maximum number of points possible.

In case of failure, the specialist language examination can be repeated several times. The examinee is sent information on re-examination by the Medical Association straightaway.

Learn German online for free!

Deutsche Welle - Germany's International broadcaster - offers an excellent resource for those who wish to learn German online for free.

Please follow this link:

http://www.dw.de/learn-german/s-2469

Germany is dependent on immigration

In the latest issue of Germany's premier magazine Der Spiegel, an interview with Reiner Klingholz, Director of Berlin Institute for Population and Development, was published. 

Here is the excerpt from the interview:

SPIEGEL: According to your study, Germany is dependent on immigration.

Klingholz: Baby-boomers, those born in years when childbirths were up, are now approaching retirement age. Around the year 2030, twice as many people will retire annually as the number of young people entering the labor market. Neither will companies be able to survive without immigration nor will it be possible to finance social welfare systems.

SPIEGEL: Can immigration put a stop to the significant demographic changes that are taking place?

Klingholz: No, but it can cushion the blow. It is true that immigrants tend to be between the ages of 20 and 30 when they arrive and they tend to have slightly more children on average than natives -- they make the entire population younger. But they get older too, and the birthrate among immigrant groups tends to drop to the low rate present here within one generation.