[Scientific activity in the physical medicine and rehabilitation specialty in Germany, Austria and Switzerland].

On the background of similar analyses (American and European), this analysis was aimed at investigating the scientific activity in physical medicine and rehabilitation in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A medline search covering 1 year was performed, all relevant publications were identified and evaluated according to the following criteria: address and speciality of author, subject (diagnostic or therapeutic), journal, and study design. The results show that the majority of publications does not originate from institutions of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Therapeutic subjects dominate with a predominance of exercise therapy. Their study design leaves room for improvement. This investigation might stimulate consequent and rigorous research in our field.