Fachärztin

Fachärztin is the feminine form of Facharzt and denotes a physician who has completed a recognized postgraduate specialty training in a medical field. In German-speaking countries the term indicates that the doctor is a specialist who can practice independently in that field. The corresponding male form Facharzt exists as well, and together they denote a physician with certified expertise beyond the basic medical degree.

Training and certification follow after earning a medical degree. The Facharztausbildung (specialist training) typically lasts several years and includes structured clinical rotations, supervised practice, and continuous assessment in a chosen specialty. The exact duration and requirements vary by specialty and country, but commonly include passing written and practical examinations and fulfilling a minimum period of hands‑on experience. The designation is regulated by national medical associations and state medical chambers, such as the Ärztekammern and the Bundesärztekammer in Germany, the Österreichische Ärztekammer in Austria, or the Swiss medical associations in Switzerland.

Fachärztinnen work in hospitals, specialty clinics, or private practices and are authorized to perform the procedures and provide the care associated with their field. Common specialties include internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology, psychiatry, radiology, and anesthesiology. The title also signals adherence to ongoing medical education requirements to maintain certification.

In everyday usage, Fachärztin specifically refers to a female physician with a completed specialty training; the male counterpart is Fachartz. The term is widely used across German-speaking countries to describe formally recognized medical specialists.