[Medical education in Germany: past successes and future challenges. An overview]

The reform of the education of doctors with the regulation for licensing of doctors (Approbationsordnung) of 27 June 2002 was a fundamental one. The results of the reform are a better practical training, a better link between theoretical and practical education, a better training in general medicine and a reform of the examinations. As a further result of the reform the additional practical training of 18 months could be abolished with the law from 26 July 2004. Now the universities must transform the regulation into practice and evaluate it. The universities must implement the federal regulation in their university educational regulations and in their day-to-day practice. The further changes in Europe, in the German regulations of specialisation and in the German health security system will create new needs for forthcoming reforms.