[New licensing regulations for physicians. Main areas of reform and first results of the implementation process]

Since October 2003 medical education in Germany has been given a new more up-to-date basis, the "New Licensing Regulations for Physicians". They represent a reform of both the structure and the content of medical education making great demands on medical faculties and medical students; e.g. elective courses during the first and second cycles of the curriculum, interdisciplinary courses (so-called 'cross-sectional courses'), practical clinical courses of several weeks in five specialties, and family medicine as an option for choice during the last year are central issues of the reform. The number of state-controlled medical examinations has been reduced from four to two. It is now the responsibility of medical faculties to assess the knowledge, clinical skills and professional attitudes of students with respect to the numerous specialties which are part of medical education. This paper presents the essential innovations and describes the current state of the implementation process. It also points out problems that deserve reconsideration. Although the full implementation of the new licensing regulations is still in progress, it might be said that they have already initiated important changes in medical education in Germany.