title: [Postdoctoral lecturer thesis in medicine: academic competence or career booster?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The postdoctoral lecturer thesis in medicine represents an essential success factor for the career of a physician; however, there is controversial discussion on whether this reflects academic competence or is more a career booster. In this context we conducted a survey among postdoctoral medical lecturers with the aim to evaluate the significance of this qualification.
  
  
  METHODS
  The online survey was performed using a questionnaire requesting biographical parameters and subjective ratings of topics concerning the postdoctoral lecturer thesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall 628 questionnaires were included in the study. The significance of the postdoctoral qualification was rated high in 68.6 % and was seen to be necessary for professional advancement in 71.0 %. The chances of obtaining a full professorship after achieving a postdoctoral qualification were rated moderate to low (68.1 %); nevertheless, 92.3 % would do it again and 86.5 % would recommend it to colleagues. Accordingly, 78.8 % were against its abolishment. Wishes for reforms included standardized federal regulations, reduced dependency on professors and more transparency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The postdoctoral lecturer qualification in medicine is highly valued and the majority of responders did not want it to be abolished. Although the chances for a full professorship were only rated low, successful graduation seems to be beneficial for the career; however, there is a need for substantial structural and international changes.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Hellweg 100, 45276, Essen, Deutschland. heiko.sorg@krupp-krankenhaus.de.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sorg
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Gefäßchirurgie, Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Betzler
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Hellweg 100, 45276, Essen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grieswald
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Witten, Deutschland.|Department für Pflegewissenschaft, Fakultät für Gesundheit, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C G G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Hellweg 100, 45276, Essen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tilkorn
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Hellweg 100, 45276, Essen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hauser
mesh_terms: D004212:Academic Dissertations as Topic; D000076363:Academic Success; D002322:Career Mobility; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005178:Faculty / Q000193:education*; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000193:education*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Academic reforms; Academic regulations; Career; Postdoctoral lecturer thesis; Professional satisfaction