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The Defined Daily Dose (DDD) is a theoretical quantity that was developed as an international standard comparison quantity for drug consumption research. It indicates the assumed mean maintenance dose per day in adults for an active ingredient in its main indication. In Germany, the official German version of the ATC classification (Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical Classification) including the DDD information is published by the DIMDI (German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information) (DIMDI 2010). This is based on the version of the WHO, which is responsible for creating the internationally standardized ATC/DDD system (Fricke et al. 2011). Both the WHO and the AOK Scientific Institute (WIdO), which in turn publishes the methodology of the ATC classification and DDD determination for Germany, point out that the DDD is a calculated quantity that is not related to the therapeutic or prescribed dose may be confused. For longitudinal drug consumption research, the DDDs must be kept stable and are therefore unsuitable as a basis for decision-making for questions regarding drug reimbursement, pricing and therapy (Fricke et al. 2011).
02.10.2012
The autonomy and self-determination of citizens are fundamental elements of our free state. We assume that life can be mastered on one's own responsibility and that individual goals can be found that guide this. The realization of appropriate life chances requires protective framework regulations from the state and society, which are primarily reflected in the social security system.
02.10.2012
Ten years have passed since the initial discussion of disease management programs (DMPs). It's time to learn from experience and determine whether the DMP model, introduced in 2003 and internationally recognized as a successful German initiative, has truly led to higher quality healthcare in Germany. "Are DMPs worthwhile?" asks Prof. Dr. Reinhold Roski, editor of the scientific journal "Monitor Versorgungsforschung" (MVF), which is organizing the conference "10 Years of DMPs" in cooperation with the Federal Insurance Office (BVA). Roski's questions are: "Are DMPs a successful model for integrated care?" and "What criteria should be used to assess quality, effectiveness, and efficiency?" Fifteen speakers, along with the co-chairs of the conference, Prof. Dr. Gerd Glaeske and Prof. Dr. Dr. Alfred Holzgreve, will provide the answers.
02.10.2012
In an increasingly volatile and fast-moving time, brands are becoming more and more important for consumers - also in their role as health insured people. However, if the brand image created by the company does not match the actual brand identity, dissonances occur with counterproductive effects. An aspect that is becoming more important than ever for statutory health insurance companies (GKVn), among other things due to the resulting market confusion and product diversity.
02.10.2012
In Europe, a disease is considered rare if it affects no more than one in 2,000 EU residents. In total, around 30 million people in Europe suffer from one of around 6,000 to 8,000 different rare diseases, around 4 million of them in Germany alone (Eurordis 2009). The number of those affected varies greatly between the diseases: one of the most well-known rare diseases, cystic fibrosis, affects around 8,000 people in Germany alone (Eurordis 2009), and the disease NBIA - nerve degeneration with iron storage in the brain - is estimated to be only in Germany About 100 patients are known. Anyone who struggles with an illness that hardly affects anyone else encounters special challenges: a lack of knowledge among doctors, nurses and therapists, a lack of treatment options, and geographically widely distributed expertise. The lower the prevalence of the often chronic and progressive multi-organ diseases, the less research is available on treatment and care options.
02.10.2012
HAROW is a study in the field of urological health services research and at the same time the largest study on localized prostate cancer (PCa) in Germany. The name is derived from the first letters of the treatment options applicable to PCa, hormone therapy, active surveillance, radiotherapy, surgery and watchful waiting. HAROW documents the course of the different therapy strategies under everyday conditions. It records medical progress data, information on communication between doctor and patient, side effects and therapy acceptance as well as the costs of treatment under everyday conditions. The special feature is that, for the first time in Germany, defensive strategies such as active surveillance and watchful waiting are included in the treatment comparison. The aim is to record the distribution across the different treatment arms, the resource consumption and benefits as well as the acceptance of the therapies under everyday conditions. The following article presents the concept and structure of the study and shares some of the results evaluated.
02.10.2012
„Es ist richtig, bei der Reform der medizinischen Versorgung deutlich zu machen, dass im Mittelpunkt der Versorgung niemand anderes als die Bürgerinnen und Bürger steht“, hieß es in einer Stellungnahme der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Integrierte Versorgung im Gesundheitswesen e. V. (DGIV) zum vorliegenden Referentenentwurf zum Versorgungsstrukturgesetz (GKV-VSG) des Bundesgesundheitsministeriums. Daher begrüße die Gesellschaft überwiegend den Entwurf. Neben dieser positiven Reaktion stellte die DGIV jedoch auch Nachbesserungsbedarf fest. Prof. Dr. med. Stefan G. Spitzer, Facharzt für Innere Medizin/Kardiologie und Sportmedizin und seit November 2010 Vorsitzender des Vorstandes der DGIV, stand „Monitor Versorgungsforschung“ Rede und Antwort.
02.10.2012
In 2010, more than 20 million people insured by statutory health insurance were treated with prescription pain medications on an outpatient basis, around half of whom were older than 60 years. These analgesics can be classified according to the WHO grading scheme. Non-opioid analgesics, low-potency opioid analgesics in combination with non-opioids and strong opioids in combinations form the three levels of the scheme. As an analysis by INSIGHT Health shows, there are age- and gender-specific abnormalities within the statutory health insurance system with regard to the extent of medication provision for pain patients. The use of pain medications that are on the Priscus list is also not uncommon in older people.
25.09.2012
Die Definition der wirklich patientenrelevanten Endpunkte ist sowohl in der Nutzen- als auch der frühen Nutzenbewertung einer der der Klärung harrenden Kardinalbereiche. Bisher versucht das IQWiG auf reiner (und vor allem RCT-)Studienbasis zu definieren, was Surrogatparameter und was patientenrelevante Endpunkte sind und erkennt im Zweifel nur jene an, deren statistische Korrelation mit harten klinischen Endpunkten einwandfrei zu beweisen ist. Dieses Modell scheint damit nicht wirklich das in den Fokus zu stellen, was der Patient für sich als patientenrelevant erachtet. Damit stellt sich die Frage, welche patientenzentrierten Modelle sinnvoll und/oder möglich wären. Die gute Antwort, die auf dem nächsten MVF-Fachkongress „Der Endpunkt“ am 29. Oktober in Berlin gegeben wird: Diese Modelle existieren!
25.09.2012
Verstärkte Anstrengungen im Kampf gegen Diabetes hatten Vertreter der Organisation für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit (OECD) beim „European Diabetes Leadership Forum“ (EDLF), einem hochkarätig besetzten Expertenforum, in Kopenhagen gefordert, was auf dem deutschen Nachbereitungs-Dialog in Berlin - beide unterstützt von Novo Nordisk - noch einmal thematisiert wurde. Denn am EDLF nahmen zwar über 800 Teilnehmer vor allem aus Europa, sogar auch aus dem Nahen Osten teil, jedoch nur 22 aus Deutschland, was sicher nicht der Brisanz und der gesellschaftlichen wie ökonomischen Dimension des Themas gerecht wird.