[10 years teaching general practice for medical students]

Nowadays practice, theory and research in General Medicine can no longer be separated. Besides the definition of the branch of study "medical practioner", standards of achievement and methods of teaching are described. Shortage of medical practioners today results from deficient development and consequences by nonsufficient studies and further education yesterday. Lack in education today is based on non-sufficient research yesterday. Whoever accepts responsibility for the future today has to make the basis by research and education that an optimum care for our population by general practioners will be possible during the coming years.