FSP in Dresden (Saxony): How the Exam Differs in This Federal State

Doris Fiumanò
Jun 30
2 min read

If you're preparing for the FSP and plan to take it in Dresden, Saxony, it's useful to know that this federal state has some particularities compared to other Bundesländer — both in the structure of the exam and in the content you can expect.

The Medical History Interview Is Shorter

In Dresden, the medical history interview with the patient lasts about 15 minutes, somewhat less than the 20 minutes that are standard in many other federal states. This means you need to be even more efficient in gathering clinical information: less time to "warm up" and get to the point, so it's essential to arrive prepared with a clear mental structure of the questions to ask.

The Arztbrief: From Full Sentences to Bullet Points

An important change concerns the writing of the Arztbrief (medical report). In the past, it was required in the form of continuous text, with complete, structured sentences. Today, however, the bullet-point format (Stichpunkte) is accepted — and increasingly common. This doesn't mean the level of precision required is lower: it simply means the form changes, while the content (diagnosis, medical history, examinations, treatment) must still be complete and correct.

The Case Presentation: Focus on Patient Details

During the Arzt-Arzt-Gespräch (the case presentation to a colleague), in Dresden you are required to go into great detail about the patient. A general overview isn't enough: you must be ready to answer in-depth questions about the medical history, specific symptoms, and the patient's context.

As in all federal states, during this phase it is mandatory to discuss:

Untersuchungen (examinations performed or planned)
Verdachtsdiagnose (suspected diagnosis)
Therapie (proposed treatment)

No Complicated Medical Questions — But Watch Out for Always-New Cases

Good news: unlike other federal states, in Dresden you won't be asked overly complex or nitpicky medical questions during the conversation with the colleague. The difficulty, therefore, doesn't lie in the depth of theoretical questions.

The real challenge, however, is that the clinical cases presented change constantly: there is no limited, recurring pool of cases to base your preparation on, but a continuous turnover. This means you can't simply memorize a fixed number of clinical cases — you need to build transferable skills that can adapt to new scenarios.

A Unique Feature: Dermatological Cases

Finally, one detail that makes Saxony a special case: it is the only federal state where dermatological clinical cases can come up. If you're preparing for the FSP in Dresden, it's therefore important not to neglect the specific vocabulary and questions related to skin conditions — an area that simply isn't part of the exam in other federal states.

Prepare for the FSP in Dresden with RevolingoMed

Knowing the particularities of the federal state where you'll take the exam makes a concrete difference in your preparation. With RevolingoMed we work with constantly updated clinical cases, including dermatological ones, and train you on the bullet-point Arztbrief structure required in Dresden.

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This article is based on information shared by people who have taken the exam in Dresden. FSP procedures can change over time and vary further: we recommend always checking the most up-to-date information with the Sächsische Landesärztekammer before taking the exam.