[Future developments in medicine: expert assessment].

In recent years studies forecasting the future such as Delphi expert surveys were carried out in various Western countries to make predictions on future developments in medicine and in the health care system. The answers draw a homogeneous picture: Cancer and dementia research as well as the development of materials for implantation and artificial organs are-in context of the demographic changes-of enormous relevance, whereas basic research receives less attention. Due to various technological developments in telecommunication and in diagnostics (sensors), sociomedical care at home is supported and will become more frequent.