Pre- and Postgraduate Training Programs in Pathology in the FRG

Abstract

Pregraduate education in pathology was reorganized in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1970 by statutory regulation: Primary instruction in General Pathology and the most common diseases is given during the first year, in Systemic Pathology during the second and third years of clinical education, in lectures and in practical courses. Each section ends with a centrally scheduled multiple choice examination which is usually passed by 95% of all students. There are tendencies to stress the practical part of these examinations because, under the present system, students often profess an excess of theory over practical instruction. Postgraduate training takes place preferably in the university institutes of pathology. Instruction begins and ends in the autopsy department where the trainee has to perform at least 300 post-mortem examinations, including histology and epicritical evaluation. Simultaneous practical training in biopsy diagnostics and cytology is supervised by experts in these disciplines. After a minimum period of five years the postgraduate trainee may apply for the title of "Pathologist" (specialist in pathology) for which a catalogue of strict criteria was established. Most applicants require 8 to 10 years to fulfill the requirements. The approved pathologist is obliged to update his professional knowledge and performance by attending congresses, slide seminars, and training courses on regional, national, and international levels (International Academy of Pathology, IAP).