[The distress of guidelines].

The formulation of guidelines for our health care system is under the dictates of limited financial resources a demand of legislation and therefore a duty from which medical doctors cannot and should not free themselves. Doing so we've got to see not only the possible savings, the better information of patients and physicians, the more transparency and control, but also the negative consequences for the scope of treatment, the responsibility under civil and criminal law, i.e. the forensic risk of the physician, and for the freedom of choice and self-determination of the patient. Establishing guidelines an objective consideration of pros and cons is demanded, no euphoria but self-restraint upon the necessary with respect to the number but also the content of guidelines.