[Shortage of new recruits in surgery. Where do the problems of a reform of further education lie? Position of a person affected].

: The shortage of young people in curative medicine and particularly in surgery can be experienced every day. The main arguments of the new generation are the lacking structure of further education, the sometimes suboptimal German framework conditions in the health service and the non-inclusion of the young generation in structural and content aspects of a reform of the General Medical Council, professional organizations and associations. Unfortunately, the sometimes well-meant approaches to a reform of the new further education rules are not in a position to rectify these deficits. Newer surveys seem to show that there has even been a deterioration of the further education situation. We need a new further education culture which is marked by the will to also want further education. All protagonists (educationalists, further education assistants and further education clinics) must regain this will every day. An improvement in framework conditions, the introduction of clinic internal further management and the very important contemporary and critical evaluation of further education quality in German clinical complexes are indispensable prerequisites for an improvement in further education in surgery. The establishment of a progressive surgical further education seal which is oriented to the dynamic process of further education and coupled with transparent consequences would instigate enormous innovative powers. Furthermore, it would also be a benchmarking in the fight for the best candidates. One should consciously separate oneself from possible vanities. Surgery is a medical professional field which should not be allowed to lose even more attractiveness for young graduates.