[The so-called specialist status from the physician's viewpoint]

The theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary for the certification as a specialist are laid down in the rules for continuing medical education and are acquired during the time as a resident usually in a curricular manner. After a final exam, the formal graduation as a specialist is confirmed by handing over a specialist certificate by the society of physicians of Germany. According to the current jurisdiction (so-called "specialist" judgment by the German court of justice from March 3, 1992) and the arrangement of the self-administration, the terms "specialist quality" and "specialist certification" got a particular meaning which may not be set to equal from the medical point of view. This is demonstrated by a critical comment to the "specialist" judgment. Future problems of the specialist training in hospitals are pointed out.