• Heiko Sorg, Robert Krämer, Christoph Grieswald, Christian G G Schwab, Simon Thönnes, Julia M Reinke, Jörg Hauser, and Daniel J Tilkorn.
• Klinik für Plastische, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Essen, Deutschland. Electronic address: heiko.sorg@krupp-krankenhaus.de.
• Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes. 2016 Oct 1; 115-116: 71-77.

ObjectiveThe 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.MethodsThe online survey was conducted asking for biographic parameters, subjective ratings and potential needs for reforms concerning the postdoctoral medical lecture qualification (PLQ).ResultsThe 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.ConclusionFrom 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.Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

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