Medical network "inflammatory diseases" - background - Facts - Aims

In 1998 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Science launched a com petition for major comprehensive grants with the ultimate goal of forming n etworks to link patient care, education and research. There were over 150 a pplications; 9 of which were successful. Among the winners was our proposal to create a federal medical network in rheumatology ("Kompetenznetz Rheuma ") and we are pleased to announce its official start here with the presenta tion of the abstracts from our first network symposium in Berlin. Our endea vor is aimed at bringing together doctors in clinical practice, patients an d scientists to improve patient care in rheumatology. Therefore, this netwo rk is made up of various components, namely documentation, patient care and new diagnostic efforts. Particular care is being devoted to take scientifi c work from the bench to the bedside. The rheumatology medical network is o rganized and further developed by six regional centers of competence locate d in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Erlangen, Freiburg, Hannover and Lubeck/Bad Bramst edt. Of course, the network is designed as an open system. We invite everyo ne, who is interested to participate in our work. Detailed information on o ur projects and our goals can be gained from the persons involved and on ou r website (http://www.rheumanet.org/).