[From the "oversupply of practical physicians" to the "mountain of hospital beds"--organised medical profession and junior staff having to face cost explosion].

The catchwords "oversupply of physicians" and "mountain of hospital beds" may be considered to mark two points of culmination in German health policy discussion between 1960 and 1990. The political background and the practical implications of this discussion will be illustrated and appreciated taking into account both the distinct positions of the organised medical profession and junior staff.
(Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart, New York.)