From evidence to care delivery: Opportunities and risks in health and science policy. A position paper of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF).

Abstract

Objective: After over 25 years of developing clinical practice guidelines, the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) held a symposium to discuss the following topics in order to improve the way evidence is implemented in the delivery of care: expansion of the data pool for guideline development, the regulatory policy framework for this expansion, the transfer of clinical practice guideline statements to medical practice, the associated opportunities and risks resulting from the European legislation.

Methods: The AWMF held its Berlin Forum on 27 April 2022 where experts from scientific medical societies and national institutions in the healthcare sector reported their experiences and perceptions on the topics mentioned. Three writing groups compiled the key statements from these contributions to and discussions made at the Berlin Forum into a position paper.

Results: The AWMF recommends the following:- The creation of a digital infrastructure that serves the quality assurance of clinical practice guidelines and makes their content available at the bedside and during consultations- An increase in the number of industry-independent clinical trials on prevention, diagnostics and therapy with medicinal products, medical devices or other procedures - The funding of registry structures to generate point-of-care healthcare data- The reduction of excessive bureaucratic hurdles at both the national and EU level.

Conclusions: By making concrete recommendations in this position paper, the AWMF maps out the steps required to improve the translation of evidence to the delivery of clinical care.