title: [Concept and results of the German Research Network on Schizophrenia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The German Research Network on Schizophrenia (GRNS) was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) from 1999 to 2011. The aim was to obtain a better horizontal and vertical networking of German research and care facilities on schizophrenia, in order to investigate open research questions, to transfer the results into clinical practice and improve care and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes the concept and operations of the GRNS as well as its results on the basis of selected research projects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GRNS comprised about 25 clinical trials of high practical relevance, which were closely interrelated regarding content, methodology and organization. The trials primarily served the development and evaluation of new and established diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the assessment of the status quo of clinical care, as well as its improvements, together with the investigation of basic scientific questions. Many substantial results to highly relevant issues were obtained, which led or will lead to an improvement in mental health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantitative and qualitative evaluation parameters, such as scientific publications and obtaining additional grants, as well as promotion of young scientists, public relations activities, congress activities and the foundation of a European Schizophrenia Association, document the successful work of the network. Successful funding requests will allow us to continue cooperative schizophrenia research in Germany as initiated by the GRNS, without necessarily always binding these activities formally to the GRNS.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, LVR Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland. gaebel@uni-duesseldorf.de.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gaebel
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buchkremer
authors.affiliation: Arbeitsgruppe Schizophrenieforschung, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit Mannheim, Mannheim, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Häfner
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Köln, Köln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klosterkötter
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität München, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, LVR Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wölwer
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005858:Germany; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Care; Competence network; Funding program; Research; Schizophrenia