[Medical habilitation. Accepted academic qualifications or outdated formalism?]

[The medical habilitation at German universities: a comparison of the regulations over 23 years]

BACKGROUND

Due to the further decrease in the number of habilitations in medicine since 2010, the general requirements for habilitation could have increased during the same period.

OBJECTIVE

The requirements for a medical habilitation at German universities in a comparison of 23 years are re-evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An analysis of habilitation regulations for 12 target parameters and evaluation of these by a scoring system (range 0-34 points).

RESULTS

Only the criterion of the requirement for a doctorate has remained the same in the 23-year comparison in the evaluation (1998-2021). All results of the other 11 criteria have changed compared to the previous study from 2010. The rating of habilitation achievements has increased from a total score in 1998 of 15.2 ± 5.1 points (95% confidence interval 13.6-16.9 points) to 25.1 ± 3.6 points in 2021 (95% confidence interval 23.9-26.2 points; p < 0.001). The range of assigned scoring values is again more broadly spread in the 11-year comparison with values from 12 to 31 points. A striking new criterion was that 98% of the assessed habilitation regulations now require a didactic continuing education in, however, significantly different requirements from the faculties.

CONCLUSION

The requirements for a medical habilitation continued to significantly increase over the 23-year period with, however, a wider dispersion of scores. The more detailed description can be seen as a direct indication of an improvement in transparency. In contrast, the broader dispersion shows that a uniform assessment standard for Germany has again receded into the distance.

[Postdoctoral lecturer thesis in medicine: academic competence or career booster?]

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.

MATERIAL AND 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.

CONCLUSION

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.

[Assessment of the significance and the requirements of medical postdoctoral lecture qualifications in Germany by the assessment committees]

OBJECTIVE

The postdoctoral medical lecture qualification (Habilitation) represents the highest academic qualification in Germany, which is successfully completed by approximately 850 candidates in medicine and health sciences per year. However, there is only a limited number of respective academic positions available. In addition, structures in education and society have changed over the last years, challenging the importance of this specific German qualification. The aim of this study was to elicit the opinions of members of German habilitation committees concerning the requirements, processes and the overall importance of the postdoctoral medical lecture qualification. Furthermore we wanted to evaluate potential needs for reforms.

METHODS

The online survey was conducted asking for biographic parameters, subjective ratings and potential needs for reforms concerning the postdoctoral medical lecture qualification (PLQ).

RESULTS

The PLQ was rated high in significance by 71.3 % of the committee members. According to the medical understanding of the Humboldt triad (research, teaching, patient care), research (94.3 %) and teaching (89.7 %) have been rated as the most important requirements for a PLQ. Asked for the motivation to undertake a PLQ, 91.0 % of the members gave the joy of doing research, 78.2 % the joy of teaching and 65.5 % better career prospects perspectives as their reason. The recognition of a Ph.D. degree as being equivalent to a German PQL was clearly rejected by the survey respondents (58.6 %: no equivalence). The majority is against the abolition of the German PLQ. However, there is a definite desire for reform, preferably concerning internal obstacles such as the dependence on full professors, more transparency in the PLQ process, but also the demand for a federal standard PLQ regulation.

CONCLUSION

From the committee members' point of view the German PLQ has still a role to play and, despite controversy, is still regarded as a timely qualification. However, there is clear-cut evidence for local, national and international reforms in order to create equality of opportunity for the candidates and to open up suitable career options.

Quantitative evaluation of the requirements for the promotion as associate professor at German medical faculties

Background: First quantitative evaluation of the requirements for the promotion as associate professor (AP) at German Medical Faculties

Material and methods: Analysis of the AP-regulations of German Medical Faculties according to a validated scoring system, which has been adapted to this study.

Results: The overall scoring for the AP-requirements at 35 German Medical Faculties was 13.5±0.6 of 20 possible scoring points (95% confidence interval 12.2-14.7). More than 88% of the AP-regulations demand sufficient performance in teaching and research with adequate scientific publication. Furthermore, 83% of the faculties expect an expert review of the candidate´s performance. Conference presentations required as an assistant professor as well as the reduction of the minimum time as an assistant professor do only play minor roles.

Conclusion: The requirements for assistant professors to get nominated as an associate professor at German Medical Faculties are high with an only small range. In detail, however, it can be seen that there still exists large heterogeneity, which hinders equal opportunities and career possibilities. These data might be used for the ongoing objective discussion.