[How does professional competence develop?].

The reality of medical practice demands not only proficiency but also educational provisions, an aspect which traditionally has been given little attention in medicine. The competence of a general practitioner does not consist solely of professional knowledge and practical skills; it consists to a large extent of personal (intuition and creativity based on personal experience) and communicative elements, both of which are necessary in managing the unpredictable complexity and the many controversies of general practice. Such competence is difficult to develop outside the practice. By sharing the experience of actual consultations with experienced colleagues, and reflecting upon this experience within a small group, general practitioners will probably develop better professional judgement and increased awareness of their learning needs, as well as of their limitations and potential. This article discusses these topics using the authors' personal experiences in the continuous medical education effort which is based on reciprocal practice visits among a small group of experienced general practitioners.