DESAM-ForNet Portal: A Novel Infrastructure to Integrate Distributed Information from Practice-Based Research...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Digital Health
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• The German healthcare system currently lacks a standardized framework for conducting clinical studies in primary care.
• Existing research structures are fragmented, hindering the efficient aggregation of practice-based data.
• There is a need for a unified approach to address research questions within German primary care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a digital infrastructure for primary care research in Germany.
• To integrate distributed, consensual information from practices into a central point of contact.
• To develop a feasible solution addressing the limitations of the current German healthcare system for research.

Main Methods:

• Formation of the DESAM-ForNet initiative, an association of German Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRN).
• Development of a consensus-based concept for a digital infrastructure through collaboration with all involved partners.
• Conducting a joint requirements analysis to inform the infrastructure's design.

Main Results:

• A consensus-based concept for a digital infrastructure has been developed.
• The new concept is designed to integrate the federal structure of the German health system.
• Existing research structures are incorporated into the proposed digital solution.

Conclusions:

• The DESAM-ForNet initiative provides a foundational concept for a digital infrastructure to enhance primary care research in Germany.
• The developed concept addresses the need for integrating distributed data and respects the federal nature of the German healthcare system.
• This initiative represents a significant step towards a more cohesive and effective approach to primary care clinical studies in Germany.