History of the German Society of Rheumatology 1947-2007

Abstract

The ``German Society of Rheumatology{''} was founded in Bad Neuenahr inthe Federal Republic of Germany In 1947. The society perceived itself asthe successor to the ``German Society for the Abatement ofRheumatism{''}. The primary aim of the society was close cooperationwith other German-speaking rheumatological societies in Austria andSwitzerland. The establishment of the European Rheumatism Congress inWiesbaden in 1979 represented the society's highpoint on the way tointernational recognition. In the 1980s serious conflict developedwithin the society which could be resolved without the divisions takingreal form. The 1990s were characterized by organizational changes, withthe help of which the society hopes to confront changing conditions inthe health system.