30 Years of the Zeitschrift für Medizinische Ausbildung (GMS Z Med Ausbild): Heading in a good direction

2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the GMS Zeitschrift fur Medizinische Ausbildung (GMS Z Med Ausbild), the journal of the Gesellschaft fur Medizinische Ausbildung (GMA). Such a milestone is not only an occasion for celebration, but also – since this involves a professional academic journal – a moment for critical self-reflection on the course taken for this important endeavor and on lessons learned for the future. Through publishing recommendations and the results of innovative research projects, how can the GMS Z Med Ausbild continue to promote positive changes to education in medicine, dentistry, the health professions, and veterinary medicine that ultimately culminate in benefits to patient care? The article on quality management of the practical clinical phase during the fifth year of medical study (the PJ) by Raes et al. [1], with comments from Switzerland [2] and Austria [3], addresses this very issue. It will be seen if the implementation of these quality criteria contributes to real improvement in the final year of training, and if this can also potentially have positive effects on patient care. How has the GMA’s academic journal grown over three decades from a self-published newsletter to an internationally visible, open-access journal? What further goals have been set for the future by the chief editors and editorial board?