GERMAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

The German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer) is the central organisation in the system of medical self-administration in Germany. As the joint association of the State Chambers of Physicians (Landesärztekammer), it represents the interests of 470,422 physicians (status: 31/12/2013) in matters relating to professional policy, and plays an active role in opinion-forming processes with regard to health and social policy and in legislative procedures. The German Medical Association arose from the Working Group of West German Medical Associations, which was founded in 1947. Following the reunification of Germany, the system of medical self-administration was extended to the former East German states, where State Chambers of Physicians were also established.