[Institutions of evidence-based medicine in Germany : Who is behind it and who does what?]

BACKGROUND In recent decades, a number of institutions have been established to address the development, application, and dissemination of evidence-based medicine (EBM) in Germany. OBJECTIVES The aim of the paper is to give an overview of important EBM institutions in Germany and to determine their tasks and goals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Internet research was conducted to identify important German EBM institutions. RESULTS EBM institutions in Germany can be divided into institutions of self-administration and independent institutions in the health care system. Common tasks and goals are mainly the improvement of health care, the dissemination of evidence-based knowledge and the further development and teaching of EBM methods. CONCLUSIONS Both self-governing institutions and independent institutions have taken up EBM. They ensure that EBM becomes an integral part of everyday medical practice.