Angelika I.T. Thöne-Otto & Sandra Verena Müller

Sat. 9.00 am

Duration: 3h

The workshop is aimed at inpatient and outpatient (senior) neuropsychologists who want to contribute to improving the evidence base of neuropsychological therapy procedures in their clinical work - whether for reasons of health/professional policy or scientific interest. Together we will develop ideas on how multi-centre evaluation studies can be integrated into everyday clinical processes and implement this in a concrete project.

Like all therapeutic procedures, neuropsychology today is also subject to the critical evaluation of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Not least the cost bearers are increasingly demanding empirical evidence of effectiveness. At the same time, reviews and meta-analyses of neuropsychological studies often come to the conclusion that "although there are indications of efficacy, there are still insufficient studies". We are pursuing the following goals with this workshop:

1. Participants will learn about the methods of evidence-based medicine, gain a better understanding of how to interpret relevant publications (reviews and meta-analyses) and receive arguments to critically engage with the study results
2. We will discuss with you the possibilities and framework conditions for integrating evaluation studies into everyday clinical practice. The aim is to get a concrete project off the ground, for which we are looking for fellow campaigners.

In the first part of the workshop, the basics of evidence-based medicine (EBM) will be explained. The aim of EBM is to use methodological criteria to classify the quality of existing evaluation studies (evidence classes) and derive recommendations for action. The suitability of this procedure, which originates from drug research, for neuropsychology is critically discussed and the tools for understanding and interpreting meta-analyses are conveyed. In addition, the importance of EBM and corresponding methodologically high-quality studies for guideline development is emphasised. Against this background, the necessity of multi-centre studies becomes clear. In the second part, ideas are developed on how multicentre studies can be organised with the help of modern telecommunications media. A concrete end of project is presented and the framework conditions for implementation are explained. Specific implementation options in outpatient and inpatient settings will be discussed: What resources are required for clinicians to participate in such a study and in what form can therapy studies, be integrated into everyday clinical practice.