Abstract
BACKGROUND: As a starting point for developing concrete suggestions for optimizing specialty training in German ENT departments, the present study analysed the current status of residency training in order to identify weaknesses. METHODS: Residents at German ENT departments were invited to participate in an online survey. The questionnaire comprised 78 individual questions. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 223 ENT residents. Educational deficits such as a lack of regular feedback from supervisors, only moderately rated mediation of specialist competencies, capriciousness of the trainers in charge regarding the organisation of training, and time and personnel shortages were identified. Some of the mandatory recommendations of the specialty training regulations, including determination of concrete training goals during regular meetings or the use of a logbook, have only been implemented in limited cases. Demands for development of more external training opportunities (job shadowing/rotation) and an external objective review of the residency training (e.g., by a representative of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, DGHNOKHC) in the sense of quality assurance are discussed. CONCLUSION: Implementation of structured and standardized ENT residency training in Germany, for which DGHNOKHC reviewal is also possible, can generate a basis for more effective compulsory residency training.