[The delegation of medical services: is it a Trojan horse?].

Delegation of medical treatment and responsibility from doctors to nonphysicians are being advocated more and more by public health politicians. The opinion of the German Union of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery is outlined. Definitions for treatment areas that cannot or may be delegated are presented. Physicians must be spared from overloading of administrative work. Delegating must not result in deterioration of patient care or destruction of the medical profession. Options and risks of delegation are discussed.