[Postgraduate surgical training: what should it be like?].

Postgraduate training in Japan and board certification by the Japanese Surgical Society are reviewed by comparing them with those in other countries to clarify the inherent problems and possible solutions. The following are pointed out as some of the problems: there is no subjective way to evaluate facilities and doctors for certification; the scope of the training curriculum varies among institutions, and there is no consistent continuity between education at medical schools and postgraduate training. The current system of board certification conducted by the medical societies is one major factor in the chaos in postgraduate education. The lack of social appreciation and of extra stipends for board-certified specialists who expend enormous effort are other problem areas. Unless those problems are resolved, the postgraduate surgical training system in Japan will remain far from ideal, and it is feared that if the situation persists titles will be without substance.