[Shortage of anaesthesiologists in Germany]

After the glut of doctors in the past, we find a shortage of doctors in the present time. Approximately only 60% of all doctors would decide to become a doctor again. These alarming news should urge us to improve the situation for the rising generation of doctors especially for young anaesthesiologists. The actual situation in the hospital is rather unattractive and there is increasing risk that we will not have a sufficient number of anaesthesiologists in our hospitals in the near future. Improvement of the financial situation is without doubt important--this must include payment according to performance principle rather than payment with regard to age. Moreover, training programs (e. g. financial support of meetings) of the young anaesthesiologists, working conditions for all staff members (e. g. limitation of overtime), and importance of the role of anaesthesia must be modified to improve motivation and to guarantee high standards of quality of anaesthesia for the future.