[Change in the job description of physicians. Consequences for medical education]

After receiving the final degree at the age of about 25 years, physicians are going to practice a minimum of 40 years. Therefore, one can assume that after graduation physicians are confronted with many occupational challenges which were not and could not be covered during their studies. This implies that medical education does not only have to provide intensive knowledge about established methods but above all about potential future techniques. Throughout the educational period and continuing during professional life, physicians have first to learn and then to be able to seek information and to conduct a critical appraisal - systematically examining research evidence, assessing its validity and the relevance of the results. The increasing velocity of innovation in the realm of medicine requires students to be prepared for life-long learning and continuous, autonomous professional development.