Neuroscience in Germany?

[WonderLander]

I'm eventually going to specialize in neurosurgery and I was wondering which of the schools in Germany offer neuro. There are few schools in the US that offer neuro as its own courses, and that's what I'm looking for. anything helps, and if not germany, any other european countries, language is not a problem for me

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[Marsupilami]

Hello Wonderlander,

I'm not really sure whether I understand your question correctly. Are you looking to do research in Neuroscience to improve your chances of getting into a German neurosurgery residency ?

As you may know, in Germany and in continental Europe in general, there is no such a thing as college, so you enter medical school directly after graduating from "Gymnasium" (our "advanced" version of high school), i.e. receiving the "Abitur" diploma. It is therefore totally uncommon for German med students to enroll in another program prior to med school to do research. However, most students commit some time to research parallel to the regular curriculum for their MD thesis. This would be an opportunity to get some research experience.

There are a few universities which offer more structured PhD research opportunities for med students, but research usually takes place after having completed med school. Furthermore, this usually takes around 3 additional years.

Since neurosurgery is not that competitive in Germany, you should be fine with a little MD thesis coupled with "ok" grades.

Hope this helps.

BTW, the grass is not always greener on the other side...there is a good reason why a lot of German MD's leave the country every year ! I'm also currently exploring my options for going abroad, and I'm a German med student in Germany 😱

 

[rytydy]

As marsupilami said... Neurosurgery is not nearly as competitive in Germany as it is in the US. All University hospitals here have some sort of Neurosurgery. During medical school there is little formal exposure to Neurosurgery (the focus is more on general surgery), however there are loads of options to obtain experience if you are interested. As already mentioned, most students do a "Dr. Arbeit" during which you can choose what field you want to do research work in (statistical, clinical and experimental projects are all possible). This research work is usually not too extensive but you can always do more if you enjoy it.... In addition, you do several "famulatur" (like clerkships) where you can also choose which department you want to go to.

Basically, it really doesn't matter much what University you go to- the differences between programs is minimal!!! The main differences are location and the size of the University.

As for the rest..... it is true that the grass is not always greener.... many doctors are unhappy here and are trying to work in other countries. The main issue is that pay is poor. As a resident it is comparable to that of US residents but salaries don't improve much afterwards (even for Neurosugeons). Then again, residency is more flexible (although it almost always takes longer than in the US) and it is pretty easy to find a position because there is a need for doctors. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for...

Good luck with your decisions!!

 

[Marsupilami]

Like rytydy pointed out, neurosurgery is not very competitive in Germany, in fact none of the surgical specialties really are, with ENT and Ophto being exceptions.

 

[super67]

Hi,
I am American board certified internist and geriatrician (full attending and consultant) and wants to pursue gastroenterology training in either of these countries. Can some one help me how to approach for GI training in these countries?
Thanks.

 

[esheritraes]

hello Marsupilami,

thanks for ur light in regard to neurosurgery residency in Germany. I'm a recent medical graduate and an aspiring Neurosurgeon. (attending neurosurgery operations n assisting at times here in local hospital at the moment)I would like to pursue my residency in Germany n contemplating seriously about it. Can you give me some specific details about the procedures to approach and apply in German universities? Beside that, what about the necessity of knowing German language? Also, what are the universities that u'd recommend for neurosurgery residency?

 

[Marsupilami]

hello Marsupilami,

thanks for ur light in regard to neurosurgery residency in Germany. I'm a recent medical graduate and an aspiring Neurosurgeon. (attending neurosurgery operations n assisting at times here in local hospital at the moment)I would like to pursue my residency in Germany n contemplating seriously about it. Can you give me some specific details about the procedures to approach and apply in German universities? Beside that, what about the necessity of knowing German language? Also, what are the universities that u'd recommend for neurosurgery residency?

Hello Esheritraes,

I'm afraid I don't know anything about the regulations for IMGs in Germany. Where are you from ? Should you hold a citizenship of an EU country, this would make things a lot easier.

Applying for a position as a medical resident is fairly easy in Germany. Unlike in the US, there is no such thing as a centralized and standardized matching process, over here, one applies directly to the hospital of interest.

As for reputable neurosurgery departments, I've never considered that field, so I don't know, but I wouldn't worry too much about that...names are not as important in Germany as they are in other parts of the world ( US). University programs sometimes offer absolutely rotten training while a smaller, local hospital can give you great training etc.

Oh, btw, you have to speak German fluently here !

Hope this helps.

 

[rytydy]

Hello Esheritraes

If you are an EU citizen it is pretty easy to get a residency position in Germany (although this is not a structured residency program like that in the US). If you are not an EU citizen it is a bit more difficult, although there are many non-EU physicians that have successfully obtained positions here. You have to obtain a working permit "Berufserlaubnis" once you have found a hospital that is willing to hire you. This working permit has to be renewed every 3 years. The only difficult aspect is that you may be required to take an equivalency exam "Gleichwertigkeitspruefung" which is an oral exam that covers the content of the German medical board exams. Unfortunately, I can't tell you much about the content- I have heard that the failure rate is pretty high but I don't have any statistics.

The best page for additional information is Landesaerztekammer of the state that you wish to work in. Here is the homepage for Bavaria:

http://www.blaek.de/

I hope it helps!!

p.s.- i agree that you have to be very comfortable with the German language (even as a surgeon) 🙂

 

[Keivan]

HI dear all
I'm in the 6th year of my medical education.non-EU student.i wonder if there is any chance for me to start my residency in germany for neurosurgery?is there any qualification exam like USMLE or PLAB?