[Ethics curriculum for medical students: theory or general practice?].

In a three-year project supported by the "Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft" the Institute for the History of Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, evaluates methods of teaching medical ethics to medical students. Using mainly case studies during a one-week intensive course students learn how to identify ethical conflicts and to find responsible solutions. Ethical problems arising from students' involvement in patients' care are also considered. As a result of this specific aspect of teaching medical ethics an ethical code for medical students was developed.