FSP format: the three parts in detail

Part 1 — doctor–patient conversation (approx. 20 minutes)

You take the history of a simulated patient (played by examiners). Graded are the completeness of the history — especially the red-flag questions of the presentation —, your C1 German, the register (consistent formal address, empathic phrasing) and patient-centred communication. The patient speaks everyday language; you must explain medical jargon in lay terms.

• Most common mistake: not actively asking the red-flag questions — the patient won't volunteer them.
• Structure tip: current complaint → symptom history → review of systems → previous conditions & medication → substance use → family/social history.

Part 2 — written documentation (approx. 20 minutes)

Right after the patient conversation you summarise the medically relevant information you gathered in writing — depending on the chamber as a discharge letter/report or a structured admission form. Graded are completeness, the correct structure (history, findings, assessment, plan) and formal medical German with its standard formulas (“Wir berichten über …”, “Zusammenfassend …”, “Wir empfehlen …”).

• Completeness beats elegance: every documented key point counts.
• Use abbreviations sparingly and only standard ones (e.g. “V. a.”, “Z. n.”).

Part 3 — doctor–doctor conversation (approx. 20 minutes)

In the final part you hand the information from the patient conversation over to the physician on the examination board — as in a real handover: complaints, history, suspected diagnosis, differentials, plan. Follow-up questions probe your differential reasoning, red flags and management. Precise medical terminology counts here — you are talking to colleagues, not patients.

• Keep the presentation to about 3 minutes — ramble and you will be interrupted.
• Answering follow-ups: assessment → reasoning → consequence, in 2–4 sentences.

Variations between federal states

The order is the same everywhere and follows the health ministers' conference (GMK) guidelines: doctor–patient conversation, documentation, doctor–doctor conversation. Details vary: some chambers add a short terminology test first (e.g. Hessen), the letter is handwritten or typed depending on the chamber, and time allocation differs. Training on fsppruefung.de follows the common standard format (3 × 20 minutes); check your chamber's notes for the specifics.