Cosmetic surgeons in Germany : Accreditation and qualifications

Many German cosmetic surgeons train in the UK and practice both in both countries, which is convenient for follow up treatment. Only plastic surgeons who are fully trained and qualified in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the entire body surface and the face are qualified to practise cosmetic surgery in Germany. This is represented by the official title; Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon (formerly just Plastic Surgeon), which doctors receive after completing a six-year training in the speciality of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, finishing with a successful board certification.

After six years of medical school, doctors enter the plastic surgery training programme and during the six years of specialisation they undertake a large number of procedures under assistance and supervision of a consultant surgeon, qualifying for the final exam only if an approved and documented number of procedures have been performed.

After completing this exam successfully, surgeons are eligible to full membership of the German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (DGPRÄC), formerly known as the Association of German Plastic Surgeons. It should be noted that an ‘associated member’ can be a young physician in training, so fully checking the credentials of membership is recommended. The Association of German Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (VDÄPC) is a subsidiary of the German Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons and it only allows surgeons who focus on aesthetic surgery to join.

The institution where the board exam is taken is the Ärztekammer, which has regional units. The national institution is the Bundesärztekammer. In Bonn for example it is the Ärztekammer Nordrhein, which is a similar institution to the General Medical Council (GMC). Cosmetic surgeons in Germany are often members of the General Medical Council (GMC) in London as well as Medical Doctor Chambers in Europe and private clinics and hospitals are assessed and checked by the Gesundheitsamt, which is comparable to the UK’s Healthcare Commission.

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