title: Development of intensive care medicine in Germany.
abstract: As of 1991, intensive care medicine in Germany is not an independent medical specialty but a part of other main medical specialities such as anesthesiology, internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics. Accordingly, there is neither formal training nor a separate board examination in intensive care medicine. As in other countries, intensive care units (ICUs) were established during the 1950s and 1960s, triggered by the positive experience with consolidation of polio victims in special respiratory care units. Surgical (or operative) ICUs predominantly are operated by anesthesiology departments, as anesthesiologists' expertise in respiratory and hemodynamic support qualifies them for the management of the critically ill patient in the perioperative phase. This article gives a brief review of the development of intensive care medicine in Germany, thereby providing the historical background for its present national and regional organization, facilities, and education and training programs.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Prien
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lawin
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000266:history; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003422:Critical Care / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D005858:Germany; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000266:history; D010348:Patient Care Team