Following a long-term tradition, several teams of German ENT specialists are currently working in different Georgian clinics on a charitable basis. The current paper describes the structures of the medical and health insurance systems in this southern Caucasian country. The course of medical education for physicians in Georgia is portrayed and differences to the German situation which explain why young Georgian colleagues have difficulties when moving to Germany are highlighted. The paper describes the typical stay of a German ENT specialist in Georgia and also points out how these physicians are in turn supported in their charitable work by medical devices and equipment sent from Germany. Finally, the input that German colleagues can contribute to improving the situation in the Georgian health care system is discussed from the perspective of German ENT specialists and future goals of the cooperation between German and Georgian physicians are summarized.
Keywords: Developing countries; Graduate medical education; Health care systems; International Cooperation; Medical missions.