The role of postdoctoral qualification candidates in surgical teaching

Objective This compact overview outlines the responsibilities and broad field of tasks of a post-doctoral fellow in surgical teaching within the framework of studies in human medicine. Method Narrative short review based on own individual and institutional teaching experiences. Results Role of the post-doctoral fellow (selection): (i) due to the planned (sub)specialization by the respective habilitation project and because of the accumulated (administrative and scientific as well as teaching) experience within the framework of this scientific graduation, the post-doctoral fellow appears to be a more suitable, motivated and competent doctoral manager and supervisor compared to colleagues who do not intend to get the habilitation. (ii) Dependence of medical disciplines: the role that can be taken in teaching is highly dependent on the subject matter and discipline. Thus, there is the possibility and the duty to always mediate competent practical skills in surgical subjects in addition to theoretical knowledge and to pay strict attention to their ready to use acquisition in preparation for clinical/surgical practice. (iii) In nonuniversity (teaching) hospitals, the surgical post-doctoral fellow can fulfill the tasks of surgical teaching through a complete internship and clerkship care. In university clinics the focus is more on holding lectures in addition to internship and clerkship tutorials. Conclusion The post-doctoral fellow plays a central role in surgical teaching. A wide range of tasks with holding and construction of lectures, seminars and block internships up to direct student support within the framework of the clerkship, the practical year and the support of a dissertation can be sufficiently fulfilled by the post-doctoral fellow in addition to the development of facultative teaching concepts full of ideas.