Initiative Deutscher Forschungspraxen

The Initiative Deutscher Forschungspraxennetze – DESAM-ForNet is a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that focuses on establishing a sustainable network structure for research practices in general medicine. This initiative is a central component of the "Masterplan Medizinstudium 2020" and aims to strengthen general medicine in Germany.

• Research Practice Networks: DESAM-ForNet connects general practitioners and their practice teams with university institutes in general medicine and other practices. This enables research that is directly tailored to the practical needs of general practice and improves patient care[1][2].
• Cross-Network Collaboration: The initiative includes six research practice networks at 23 university locations that develop common concepts and standards for research. This includes the establishment of communication pathways, IT infrastructures, and the standardization of research processes[1][2][4].
• Patient and Practice Involvement: General practitioners and their practice teams are involved in the planning and implementation of research projects. Patients can also contribute their interests and opinions to the research[2].

The main mission of DESAM-ForNet is to create an independent, sustainable, and internationally competitive network structure for research in the outpatient setting. The focus is on improving patient care through practice-relevant research and strengthening general medicine. The initiative relies on close collaboration between general practitioners, university institutes, and patients to promote evidence-based medicine[2][4].

• Sustainable Infrastructure: DESAM-ForNet is working on creating a sustainable research infrastructure that includes the accreditation and qualification of 1732 general practice research practices by 2025[2].
• IT Infrastructure and Interoperability: The initiative is building an IT infrastructure that enables data exchange and harmonization of IT developments in regional research practice networks. This is done in close cooperation with the Medical Informatics Initiative (MII)[4].
• Governance and Organization: The coordination office supports the sustainable establishment of the infrastructure through governance, management, and organization. This also includes ensuring data protection and ethical aspects[4].
• International Connectivity: In the long term, the initiative aims to make connected medical research in general practice a matter of course, providing patients and healthcare stakeholders with more security in decision-making[4].

The vision of DESAM-ForNet is to establish comprehensive and connected medical research in general practice within 10 years. Through close collaboration and the creation of common standards, the initiative aims to create a foundation for evidence-based medicine and significantly improve patient care.

• 1 - https://desam.de/forschungsf%C3%B6rderung/desam-fornet
• 2 - https://www.desam-fornet.de
• 3 - https://www.desam-fornet.de/impressum/
• 4 - https://www.desam-fornet.de/koordinierungsstelle/
• 5 - https://www.desam-fornet.de/beteiligung-von-industriepartnern/