Abstract
The article provides a detailed analysis of the cardiothoracic surgery training system in Germany, recognized as one of the most structured and demanding worldwide. The authors, one of whom completed his entire residency at Hannover Medical School, examine the educational pathway from entering residency to achieving specialist status (Facharzt) and subsequent career progression. It describes the mandatory six-year program, which includes a basic surgical curriculum and specialized training with rotations in intensive care, transplant departments, and experimental laboratories. Particular attention is paid to the quantitative requirements for practical skills documented in a resident’s logbook (Logbuch), as well as the financial aspects of training, research activities, and the final board examination. The article highlights the exclusivity of the profession (only 1,100 specialists in the country), the high intensity of work, and the necessity of continuous professional development, all of which collectively ensure the high qualification of German cardiac surgeons.