The BÄK in brief

The Bundesärztekammer (BÄK) is the central organisation in the system of medical self-administration in Germany. It represents the interests of the 429 926 doctors (as at 31.12.2009) in matters relating to professional policy. As the joint association of the 17 State Chambers of Physicians in Germany, the German Medical Association plays an active role in the opinion-forming process in relation to health policy in society, and in legislative procedures.

The German Medical Association arose from the Working Group of West German Medical Associations, which was founded in 1947. Today, it is the joint association of the 17 Länder Medical Associations and thus an organisational combination of public-law corporations. The individual doctor is only indirectly a member of the BÄK via compulsory membership of his or her local medical association.