[Psychology in the context of medical expert assessment]

One of the tasks of the Medical Service of the compulsory health insurance system in Germany is to conduct follow-up examinations if an employee has been unfit for work for a prolonged period. This involves problems of expertise that are discussed in the present article from the viewpoints of definition, problems and psychological skill in the handling of each individual case. Good interaction between all the parties concerned proves to be an important factor to ensure sociomedical effectivity and to relieve tensions.