[Field tests for the beta version of the ICD-11-MMS in Germany: background and methods]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been developing the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) since 2007. ICD-11 is different from the ICD-10 in volume and structure. Therefore, the WHO planned field tests with a coding of diagnoses and cases.

To describe the background of the field tests and their implementation in Germany.

Interested parties were invited to submit proposals through a call to the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF). The Technology, Methods, and Infrastructure for Networked Medical Research (TMF) was responsible for the coordination, supported by the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI). The target was a beta version of the ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (ICD-11-MMS), denoted as "draft for quality assurance".

Eleven field tests were maintained between March and September 2017. With the exception of one field test analyzing diagnoses terms from the thesaurus of the ICD-10-GM, all field tests focused on a specific medical field. Eight different quality criteria were investigated over the 11 field tests, and 22 of the 27 chapters of the ICD-11-MMS were at least partially covered.

Despite the strict time frame, the field tests were successfully implemented and concluded in Germany. Mostly, the ICD-11 tools from the WHO were used. A high percentage of the ICD chapters were partially covered. In summary, it has been demonstrated for the first time that field tests are a valuable approach to evaluate the ICD in parallel to its development. However, a methodological framework integrating the field tests should be developed, taking into account all relevant requirements.