[General practitioners in service for public health services]

After the publication of the Swiss plan for pandemic preparation, specific tasks for the general practitioners (GPs) in Switzerland in the case of a pandemic situation have been analysed. A comprehensive preparation of the GPs for the pandemic is essential, first because of the increasing number of sick people and second because of the experience and competence of GPs in recognising and treating people affected by influenza. This article underlines the importance of the GPs in public health services and assists the GPs in their preparation for a pandemic.