[A bone of contention: further medical training regulations]

German physicians often criticize the medical associations but obviously without any background information. This article will try to explain the duties of medical associations especially concerning residency programs and supervision of post-graduate medical training. The integration of the medical associations of the 17 German States into the democratic and legal system of the State is presented. The goal is to explain the role of the medical associations and to enhance the participation of physicians in the given structures.