[The internist--generalist or specialist?].

Also after the elimination of certain subjects and after the development of subspecialisations internal medicine has remained the central clinical basic speciality. The synoptic medical thinking and acting with a coordination of all special examinations to a coherent view and treatment of the patients is incumbent on the internal specialist as "general internal specialist" or so-called "generalist". The central point of the intermedical care of the population lies in the work of the internal specialist. This has consequences also for the education and further training. In the auditory and at the patient we must be able to show the students and physicians trustworthy how internal medicine as general internal medicine is organised in its full extent and is practised by a medical superintendent who is qualified to do this.