[Development of ambulatory medical care in former East Germany].

Outpatient medical care was well organised in the former GDR. Contrary to the FRG in the GDR a governmental Public Health system had been developed with only few privately established physicians. The care was mainly carried by outpatient departments in the city and in the country as well as by governmental doctors' practices. The personnel development and the results of the work are described and the advantages and disadvantages of this form of organisation of outpatient care are characterised.