What is Known About the Real Length of Postgraduate Medical Education in Germany?

Objective This study examines the real length of postgraduate medical education in Germany. The regulations define minimal time periods in months for each discipline. We especially analyze the differences between minimum and real length, as well as the percentages of interrupting or dropping out physicians by gender. Methods Within the KarMed study, annual postal surveys were sent to graduates of seven medical faculties in Germany from their last year of undergraduate education until after six years of postgraduate training. The return rate at baseline was 48 % (n = 1012) and the 5 surveys after baseline reached rates of 85 % and more. Descriptive statistics were used for analyses. Results Half of the residents did not finish within the minimum time period. This proportion was higher among women (65 %) then men (43 %); among women with child/children this proportion reached 91 %. Female residents expecting a prolongation estimated an average time period of 19.6 months (SD = 14.7), male residents of 11.5 months (SD = 8.6). Female residents named problems in relation to children as the most important factor. Half of the reasons given by male residents (and 31 % of those given by females) are related to organizational and curricular problems of postgraduate education. Conclusion Effective measures are needed to reduce the problem of continuation of postgraduate education in the course of getting/having children and/or to promote the return to training in the hospital. For this, curricular and organizational measures, e.g. rotation plans and better possibilities for part-time training, should be offered.