Aims: The aim of this work was the analysis of the quantity, quality and factors of influence for the cooperation of these partners from each position. Furthermore it focused on the subjective competence of general physicians during proceeding acute practice, their skills-training frequency and their emergency equipment. Design & Methods: First 50 detailed, face-to-face interviews with general and emergency physicians in the Dresden area were conducted. The focus laid on three parts: basic conditions, individual parameters of the doctor and interaction quality in emergency case. Additional an investigation by questionnaire (n = 128) at a congress was done. Results: Cases of emergency in a general physician practice are rare (1 to 3 times a year). The co-operation between family and emergency doctor is evaluated differently: the resident colleagues estimated the cooperation much better than the emergency physicians. The most important positive influence factor for good cooperation was the great professional competence in first treatment of acute patients for both. The analysis of the grade of reliability in proceeding acute practices revealed subjective failings in intubation and defibrillation for the GP. General physicians in a city with less than 100000 inhabitants have a better preparation in clinical and material sectors. Doctors with a qualification certificate in emergency medicine are significantly more reliable in proceeding acute measures and doctors with a higher rate of visited skills-training-courses are more credible. Future prospects The development of further emergency training courses is necessary to guarantee the preservation and improvement of medical care in emergencies. The emergency equipment of general practices should be adapted on the requirements particularly the availability of defibrillators and pulsoxymeters.