The anesthesiologist in prehospital and hospital emergency medicine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The German emergency medical system is different from the Anglo-American system. Emergency medicine is no distinct specialty in Germany. Physicians are involved in prehospital emergency medicine. This review highlights the historic development of prehospital and hospital emergency medicine in Germany and describes future trends.

RECENT FINDINGS: Studies have shown that involvement of specially trained prehospital emergency physicians can result in reduced patient mortality. The in-hospital emergency medicine structure is important for the 'chain of survival' for patients with life-threatening medical conditions. In-hospital emergency medicine has been reorganized in many hospitals during the last few years. New qualification criteria for physicians in emergency departments, therefore, need to be developed.

SUMMARY: Economic and quality arguments have initiated the development of departments for emergency medicine in Germany. In the future, this will lead to new qualification criteria for physicians working in these departments.