Medical student performing surgery in futuristic OR.

Mastering Surgical Training: A Modern Guide for Medical Students

Lena Voss in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"How to enhance practical surgical skills and responsibility in medical education, preparing students for real-world medical challenges."

The transition from medical student to practicing doctor is a significant leap, especially in surgery. A recent study highlighted in “Das chirurgische Tertial im praktischen Jahr – Status quo 2017” reveals a critical need for enhanced surgical training during the practical year (PJ) of medical school. This period is crucial for equipping будущих doctors with the skills and confidence they need. A gap exists between academic knowledge and the practical application of surgical skills, making it essential to reassess and improve current training methods.

The study emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and structured responsibility. Medical students need more than just theoretical knowledge; they need to actively participate in patient care, perform basic surgical procedures, and understand the responsibilities that come with being a surgeon. This practical exposure not only builds competence but also fosters a sense of accountability and readiness for future challenges.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that involves curriculum adjustments, faculty engagement, and the integration of innovative training techniques. By focusing on practical skills, structured responsibility, and continuous feedback, medical schools can better prepare students for the realities of surgical practice. This not only benefits the students but also enhances the quality of care they provide to their patients.

Why Hands-On Surgical Training Matters More Than Ever

Medical student performing surgery in futuristic OR.

The relevance of surgery in medical training is underscored by the wide array of conditions and practical skills students need to master. These include basic wound care, suturing techniques, and essential emergency procedures such as Bülau drainage. While theoretical knowledge is foundational, practical experience is what truly prepares будущих doctors for the challenges they will face in their careers. This hands-on approach not only reinforces learning but also builds confidence and competence.

Moreover, exposure to advanced techniques like endoscopic procedures is becoming increasingly important. These skills are not only relevant in surgical fields but also in anesthesia, emergency medicine, intensive care, and general medicine. By incorporating these advanced skills into the curriculum, medical schools can ensure that graduates are well-prepared for a wide range of medical scenarios.

Improved Skill Retention: Hands-on training helps students retain information and skills more effectively than traditional lecture-based learning.
Enhanced Confidence: Practical experience builds confidence, making students more comfortable and capable in real-world medical settings.
Better Patient Outcomes: Well-trained будущих doctors are better equipped to provide high-quality care, leading to improved patient outcomes.

The structured transfer of responsibility is another critical aspect of surgical training. Many young doctors find the initial weeks after graduation overwhelming due to the sudden increase in responsibility. A structured approach to gradually increasing responsibilities during the PJ can ease this transition. Initiatives like the HIPSTA-Station (Heidelberg Interprofessional Training Station) provide positive examples of how students can manage their own station and learn to take responsibility for their patients under supervision.

The Future of Surgical Education: A Call to Action

Moving forward, it’s essential to integrate practical surgical aspects and controlled responsibility into the surgical PJ, preparing будущих doctors for their professional lives. Faculty members should align learning objectives with national competency-based catalogs for medicine and surgery. By embracing their teaching responsibilities, surgeons can maintain high standards of care and address the current shortage of surgeons. Positive practical experiences increase the appeal of surgical specialties, aligning with the Masterplan Medizinstudium 2020’s goal of strengthening competency-based and practice-oriented learning. The future of surgical education depends on nurturing and challenging будущих surgeons, recognizing them as a valuable asset.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1055/a-0650-4861, Alternate LINK

Title: Kommentar Zum Artikel „Das Chirurgische Tertial Im Praktischen Jahr – Status Quo 2017“

Subject: Surgery

Journal: Zentralblatt für Chirurgie - Zeitschrift für Allgemeine, Viszeral-, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG

Authors: Karl-Friedrich Kowalewski, Pascal Probst, Andre Mihaljevic, Felix Nickel

Published: 2018-08-20

Everything You Need To Know

Why is hands-on surgical training considered more important than ever for medical students?

Hands-on surgical training is now considered crucial due to the necessity for будущих doctors to master a wide array of skills and conditions. Practical experience, covering areas from basic wound care to advanced endoscopic procedures, is what truly prepares them for real-world challenges. This approach not only improves skill retention and enhances confidence but also leads to better patient outcomes.

What is the 'practical year' (PJ) in medical school, and why is it considered a crucial time for surgical training?

The 'practical year' (PJ) is a critical period in medical school where будущих doctors gain hands-on experience. Studies, such as “Das chirurgische Tertial im praktischen Jahr – Status quo 2017,” have highlighted the need for enhanced surgical training during this time. The PJ is crucial because it bridges the gap between academic knowledge and the practical application of surgical skills, equipping будущих doctors with the confidence and competence they need.

How can medical schools better prepare students for the increased responsibilities they face after graduation, particularly in surgery?

Medical schools can better prepare будущих doctors by adopting a structured approach to transferring responsibility during the PJ. Initiatives like the HIPSTA-Station (Heidelberg Interprofessional Training Station) serve as positive examples, allowing students to manage their own station and learn to take responsibility for patients under supervision. This gradual increase in responsibility eases the transition from medical student to practicing surgeon.

What specific surgical skills are increasingly important for medical students to learn, and why are they valuable beyond surgical specialties?

Medical students should focus on mastering skills such as basic wound care, suturing techniques, essential emergency procedures like Bülau drainage, and advanced techniques like endoscopic procedures. These skills are not only relevant in surgical fields but also in anesthesia, emergency medicine, intensive care, and general medicine, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for a wide range of medical scenarios.

How do competency-based catalogs and faculty engagement play a role in improving surgical education for будущих doctors?

Faculty members should align learning objectives with national competency-based catalogs for medicine and surgery to improve surgical education. By embracing their teaching responsibilities, surgeons can maintain high standards of care and address the current shortage of surgeons. Positive practical experiences increase the appeal of surgical specialties, aligning with the Masterplan Medizinstudium 2020’s goal of strengthening competency-based and practice-oriented learning, which prepares будущих doctors effectively.