title: [10 years of assessing prevention and early diagnosis programmes by the Federal Joint Committee of Germany - a methodological analysis].
abstract: Medical benefit is the crucial factor in the evidence-based decision-making process of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) of Germany. To review the decisions on population-based screening methods from January 2000 to December 2009, we analysed the coverage decisions. During this period of time, the G-BA decided on 14 screening methods, predominantly dealing with the early diagnoses of serious diseases. In 8 cases a positive assessment led to reimbursement by the statutory health insurance funds, in 5 cases the assessment was negative and in one case the conditions were changed. For 7 assessments, a fully reported review was available, 4 of this were positively evaluated. In 2 of these cases, controlled screening studies documented the benefit of the screening method. In another case there was only a case series without a control group. For the fourth method, the question for the benefit of the screening method was divided into 3 sub questions, investigated separately in different studies. The methods of benefit assessments have changed very much over time. A revision of the rules of procedure for the assessment of medical screening methods is advisable.
authors: Fachhochschule der Diakonie, Bielefeld. hilke.bertelsmann@fhdd.de
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Bertelsmann
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Perleth
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Matthias
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*