Further training in Mainz — Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

After six months of persistent effort I have received — just in time — the certificate of medical licensure required to take up scientific work at the University Medical Center in Mainz.

Nothing now stands in the way of beginning the fellowship training supported by the ESDE.

In Switzerland, colleagues around me occasionally discuss how demanding it is, particularly for German physicians, to find a position here and to meet the requirements for a licence to practise. One thing has now become clear to me:

The requirements for licensure in Germany are no less demanding for a Swiss physician!

As an Italian-Swiss dual citizen who completed most of her medical training in Italy, my Italian diplomas were recognized without any additional examination. Foreign physicians must, however, also pass a professional language examination at C1 level in order to obtain licensure in Germany. I sat this examination at FaMed, travelling from Zurich to Mainz specifically for it. There, on camera, I had to conduct an informed-consent conversation with a patient, among other tasks — with actors standing in as the other party.

A further and unexpectedly complicated matter was obtaining the required certificate of good conduct. That process stretched over four months and demanded a great deal of patience, though little money: EUR 13.

In the meantime I have rented a flat in Mainz and intend to get around locally mainly on foot or by bicycle.

I am very much looking forward to the professional and personal challenges ahead with Peter Grimminger in Mainz!