[The German Medical Association support initiative on health care research].

The 108th German Medical Assembly adopted a 6-year support initiative for health care research in order to contribute to the further development of this young scientific discipline which has not yet been sufficiently established in Germany. The program is focussed on the following subjects: (1) influence of economic changes on outpatient and inpatient medical care, (2) implementation of medical guidelines in medical routine and (3) the physician factor. Setting methodical standards in this new field and opening up access to medical data should provide a relevant impulse to health care research in Germany. The promoting strategy of the German Medical Association will be completed by initiating a network of scientists, research promoters and health care players.