title: Systematic development of a guideline for early detection of prostate cancer: the German way in the evidence gap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop an evidence-based guideline, helping physcians make prudent decisions about diagnostic care for men wishing to undergo examination for early detection of prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A guideline development group, comprised of twenty healthcare professionals, including urologists, clinical chemists, pathologists, geriatricians, epidemiologists, technicians and a member of a patient self-help group, systematically gathered, evaluated, and discussed the most recent research available on early detection of prostate cancer. Nominal group technique (NGT) was employed to facilitate the decision-making process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NGT was sufficient to find a consensus among different medical disciplines in a timely fashion. A standardized guideline, containing a short version for physicians and a standardized patient information booklet, for nation-wide use was developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Population-based screening is not favoured, instead information should be given to men in their 50-70s, to enable shared decision-making between physician and patient for or against PSA-based early detection of prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, Germany. Drhluboldt@aol.com
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Luboldt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fornara
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weissbach
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rübben
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors