Physicians start their medical careers as assistant physicians while they undergo further training to become medical specialists. Assistant physicians have completed their studies in human medicine and have obtained a licence to practice medicine. They usually work under the supervision of assistant medical directors or chief physicians, are at the beginning of their careers and are training to become medical specialists.
In the first few years of their careers, physicians work as assistant physicians. During this time, they decide on a specific medical field, for example surgery or general medicine. Since there has been a shortage of physicians in Germany for many years already, assistant physicians have very good prospects on the labour market. The total duration of the training to become a medical specialist is 60 to 72 months.
Assistant physicians are responsible for numerous routine tasks at the hospital and work as ward physicians, where they are the first point of contact for the patients.
Physicians must have completed their studies in human medicine; this takes at least six years and is one of the longest courses of study in Germany. They need extensive knowledge and must keep up to date with the latest scientific findings. The studies are followed by the practical training as an assistant physician. Physicians have to be resilient and committed, and they have to work with concentration and determination.
For physicians employed in a municipal hospital or a clinic, the salary corresponds to the relevant collective agreement. In Germany, there are public collective agreements for university hospitals as well as for private hospital groups. The average annual gross salary of assistant physicians with relevant professional experience is between EUR 52,800 and EUR 66,000, which equals a monthly gross salary of between EUR 4,400 and EUR 5,500. Working on stand-by duty can further increase their salary. There are no exact figures regarding the salary of self-employed physicians.
