Article type
Abstract
Background: In Germany, the authority to develop Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) lies with the Scientific Medical Societies under the Umbrella of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF). AWMF provides methodological guidance and runs the national, quality-assured guideline registry. Resources are mainly supplied by the Scientific Medical Societies and authorship is a voluntary commitment. AWMF has been calling for independent financial support for two decades. In 2020, this support was established in the National Social Code Book. In this context, guideline projects are funded with a total amount of 5 million Euros per year.
Objectives: To describe how evidence-based guideline projects in Germany are supported on a statutory basis and to highlight successes and challenges.
Methods: AWMF proposes topic areas annually to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) for which member societies see a need. FMH may adjust or complement these and commits them to the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). This decision-making body of the joint self-government of physicians, dentists, hospitals and health insurance funds releases the call for applications. Applications submitted by Scientific Medical Societies undergo formal assessment by AWMF-Institute for Medical Knowledge Management (AWMF-IMWi) with regard to compliance with AWMF-guidance for evidence-based guidelines, potential to improve care, products to improve dissemination and implementation concept. Projects eligible for funding are new guidelines, updates, methodological “upgrades” and “living guidelines”.
Results: Since 2020, 54 guideline projects were funded in 3 tender rounds with topic areas comprising amongst others rare diseases, common diseases considering target groups with special needs, infectious and musculoskeletal diseases and public health.
As by February 2024, two “living guidelines ” and one updated guideline have been published, another 13 will be finalized until 2025. The major challenge is to provide methodological and organizational support. AWMF-IMWi provides guideline seminars, individual counselling and guidance to promote knowledge growth within Scientific Medical Societies concerning methodological expertise and establishment of sustainable structures for internal development.
Conclusions: Governmental support for evidence-based guidelines developed by Scientific Medical Societies within a framework of quality assurance guaranteed by an umbrella organization has been successfully established in Germany and may be a model for other countries.
Objectives: To describe how evidence-based guideline projects in Germany are supported on a statutory basis and to highlight successes and challenges.
Methods: AWMF proposes topic areas annually to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) for which member societies see a need. FMH may adjust or complement these and commits them to the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). This decision-making body of the joint self-government of physicians, dentists, hospitals and health insurance funds releases the call for applications. Applications submitted by Scientific Medical Societies undergo formal assessment by AWMF-Institute for Medical Knowledge Management (AWMF-IMWi) with regard to compliance with AWMF-guidance for evidence-based guidelines, potential to improve care, products to improve dissemination and implementation concept. Projects eligible for funding are new guidelines, updates, methodological “upgrades” and “living guidelines”.
Results: Since 2020, 54 guideline projects were funded in 3 tender rounds with topic areas comprising amongst others rare diseases, common diseases considering target groups with special needs, infectious and musculoskeletal diseases and public health.
As by February 2024, two “living guidelines ” and one updated guideline have been published, another 13 will be finalized until 2025. The major challenge is to provide methodological and organizational support. AWMF-IMWi provides guideline seminars, individual counselling and guidance to promote knowledge growth within Scientific Medical Societies concerning methodological expertise and establishment of sustainable structures for internal development.
Conclusions: Governmental support for evidence-based guidelines developed by Scientific Medical Societies within a framework of quality assurance guaranteed by an umbrella organization has been successfully established in Germany and may be a model for other countries.