title: German research network on schizophrenia-bridging the gap between research and care.
abstract: The German Research Network on Schizophrenia (GRNS) is a nationwide network of presently 16 psychiatric university departments, 14 state and district hospitals, as well as six local networks of psychiatric practices and general practitioners, which are collaborating in about 25 interrelated, multicentre projects on schizophrenia research. The GRNS aims to intensify collaboration and knowledge exchange between leading research institutions and qualified routine care facilities, both within (horizontal network) and between (vertical network) the two levels of research and care, in order to create the scientific preconditions for optimization of care in patients with schizophrenia. With respect to illness development, the network is organized into two main "Project Networks" (PN). Whereas PN I targets the implementation of early detection and early intervention strategies, PN II aims at optimization of acute and long-term treatment, especially in first-episode patients. PN II also includes projects aiming at improvement of rehabilitation, particularly in patients with residual symptoms. Furthermore, there is a "Special Network" on molecular and pharmaco-genetics. Several more general projects address fighting stigma and discrimination, health care economy, continuing medical education, quality assurance, and methodology. The network is mainly funded by the German Ministry for Research spanning a period of 5 years.
authors.affiliation: German Research Network on Schizophrenia, Department of Psychiatry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Bergische Landstrasse 2, 12 05 10, 40605 Düsseldorf, Germany. wolfgang.woelwer@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wölwer
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buchkremer
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Häfner
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klosterkötter
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gaebel
mesh_terms: D019058:Community Networks; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005858:Germany; D006288:Health Planning Organizations; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy