Famulatur Report
A comprehensive guide on how to write an ideal Famulatur report according to common German standards used at most universities (e.g. Charité, LMU, TUM, Heidelberg, etc.):
Required length: usually 1–2 pages (maximum 2 DIN A4 pages)
Core elements in the correct order:
1. Title
Famulaturbericht – Innere Medizin
(Famulatur Report – Internal Medicine)
2. Basic personal information
Name: [your full name]
University: [name of your university]
Clinic/Practice: [name of the hospital or practice]
Department: [name of the department – e.g. Internal Medicine]
Supervisor: [name of your supervisor or senior physician (Oberarzt), if applicable]
Period: [from – to]
Location: [city]
3. Introduction (Einleitung)
In the introduction, briefly explain:
Why did you choose this department?
What did you expect to learn?
Did you have any previous exposure to this specialty?
Example:
“Ich entschied mich bewusst für eine Famulatur in der Inneren Medizin, da ich mein klinisches Wissen vertiefen und die Vielfalt internistischer Krankheitsbilder kennenlernen wollte.”
(“I deliberately chose a Famulatur in internal medicine in order to deepen my clinical knowledge and to get to know the broad variety of internal diseases.”)
4. Daily tasks (Tätigkeiten)
Describe in detail:
Your typical daily schedule (including times)
Tasks you performed: blood sampling, physical examinations, writing notes, participating in ward rounds (Visite), ultrasound sessions, etc.
Whether you attended surgeries, emergency department shifts, or rotations in other units.
Example:
“Meine tägliche Tätigkeit begann um 07:30 Uhr mit der Frühbesprechung. Anschließend begleitete ich die Visite und durfte regelmäßig Blutentnahmen, Anamnesen sowie körperliche Untersuchungen durchführen...”
5. Learning outcomes (Lerneffekte)
Reflect on:
What did you learn from a medical/clinical perspective?
What did you learn in terms of communication (with patients, relatives, and the team)?
Did your view of this specialty change?
Can you imagine choosing it as your future specialty?
6. Overall evaluation (Fazit)
Summarise your overall impression:
Would you recommend this department or hospital to other students?
How was the working atmosphere?
Was the supervision structured and supportive?
Example:
“Die Famulatur in der Abteilung für Chirurgie am Klinikum XY war für mich sehr bereichernd. Das Team war freundlich und engagiert, und ich konnte viel lernen.”
(“The Famulatur in the department of surgery at Hospital XY was very enriching for me. The team was friendly and highly committed, and I was able to learn a lot.”)
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Length | At least 1 page, usually not more than 2 pages |
| Language | Clear and simple academic German |
| Originality | The report must be written personally by you |
| Signature | Must be signed by the supervisor / senior physician (Oberarzt) |
| Official hospital stamp | Official stamp of the hospital or department is required |
| Submission date | Preferably submitted in the same semester or at the beginning of the following semester |
Font: Arial or Times New Roman
Font size: 11–12 pt
Page margins: standard margins (around 2–2.5 cm)
Line spacing: 1.5 or single, according to university guidelines
Layout: no pictures or tables, plain continuous text
Write your report immediately after finishing your Famulatur – don’t postpone it.
Use precise, objective language; avoid exaggerations or overly emotional wording.
Carefully proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes.
Don’t forget to obtain your supervisor’s signature and the official stamp of the department or practice at the end of the report.
Keep a signed hard copy and a PDF version for your own records.
Editorial note
The authors and editorial team of this website aim to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete details may occur. Therefore, the information in this article should be regarded as a first, non-binding orientation. For official and binding requirements, always consult your university, faculty, or the responsible authorities.
