Evidence-based medicine in tropical medicine
The "Evidence-based medicine (EBM) in tropical medicine" working group strengthens evidence-based tropical medicine within the DZIF by collating and critically evaluating scientific evidence on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tropical infectious diseases such as malaria or dengue. Through systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and statistical analyses, the group provides the scientific foundation for high-quality clinical guidelines and supports the planning of clinical studies. This helps accelerate the translation of research findings into clinical practice. Based at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the infrastructure is available to all DZIF researchers and helps ensure that medical decisions are guided by the best available scientific evidence—for the benefit of patients in Germany and worldwide.
Scientific evidence as the foundation for better tropical medicine
The "Evidence-based medicine (EBM) in tropical medicine" working group provides a central infrastructure for evidence-based research within the DZIF research area Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. Its goal is to systematically identify, critically appraise, and synthesize scientific evidence on tropical infectious diseases to support research, clinical guideline development, and patient care.
For many tropical diseases—including malaria or dengue—high-quality, evidence-based clinical guidelines are still lacking. At the same time, the number of scientific publications continues to grow rapidly. The working group ensures that this evidence is systematically evaluated according to internationally recognized standards and translated into robust, evidence-based recommendations. This provides a transparent and scientifically sound basis for clinical decision-making.
Strengthening translation into clinical practice
To achieve this, the working group conducts systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, meta-regressions, and other statistical analyses addressing clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic questions. These evidence syntheses not only provide the basis for clinical guideline development but also support the planning and conduct of clinical studies. They help identify knowledge gaps, improve study design, and enable the more efficient use of research resources.
As a methodological infrastructure embedded within the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the working group is open to all DZIF researchers. Scientists receive support in developing study protocols, selecting appropriate endpoints, planning statistical analyses, and interpreting existing evidence. This strengthens the scientific quality of research projects and improves the comparability of their results.
In addition, the working group enhances the international visibility of the DZIF through its contributions to national and international clinical guidelines and through high-quality scientific publications. Its work provides a robust evidence base for new diagnostic approaches, therapies, and prevention strategies, helping to accelerate the translation of research findings into clinical practice.
In the long term, the working group aims to become a central resource for evidence-based tropical medicine. In addition to supporting scientific projects, it promotes methodological exchange between research institutions and clinical partners, advances innovative approaches to evidence synthesis, and lays the foundation for digital evidence platforms and clinical decision-support tools. In doing so, it strengthens the translation of scientific knowledge into healthcare and contributes to improving the management of patients both in endemic regions and in Germany.
