Welcome to FoPraNet-BW
Here you will find all the information about the Baden-Württemberg Research Practice Network.
Please note! This page is currently being updated. Thank you very much for your understanding!
Baden-Württemberg Research Practice Network
FoPraNet-BW is a regional network of GP practices interested in research and the general practice departments at university hospitals Tübingen, Heidelberg, Freiburg, Ulm, the Faculty of Medicine Mannheim and the Reutlingen Research Institute the university Reutlingen.
Responsibility for the overall coordination of FoPraNet-BW lies with the Institute of General Practice and Interprofessional Care (Tübingen).
As a network of research practices, we would like to work together to…
- „Research from practice, for practice“ enable.
- combine academic and practical expertise.
- develop and implement research questions relevant to healthcare provision.
- generate new evidence for primary care.
- Strengthen and further develop GP care in the long term.
About us
During the project period, which runs until 2025, a sustainable network of research practices comprising general practitioners’ practices is to be established in Baden-Württemberg. The studies will be used to assess the functionality of the IT-supported research infrastructure.
Background
In Germany, medical care for patients is primarily provided in general practitioners’ surgeries and is becoming increasingly complex. Whilst research is already an integral part of primary care internationally, in Germany it takes place predominantly in the clinical sector. However, these research findings often cannot be applied to treatment in a GP practice setting.
Focus of the funding scheme „Network structure for research practices“ of the Federal Ministry for
The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is therefore committed to addressing gaps in the evidence base that are highly relevant to the patients concerned and their medical care in Germany.
Anyone wishing to answer relevant questions about GP care today also needs answers drawn from GP practice. Research in general practice requires research practices.
Objectives
By 2025, a sustainable and IT-supported research infrastructure comprising qualified GP research practices is to be established in Baden-Württemberg. Working together in partnership and through interprofessional exchange, all those involved will address research questions relevant to clinical practice, guided by the principle: research from practice for practice, working together for a strong general practice.
A sustainability plan is to be developed in collaboration with medical practices to ensure that FoPraNet-BW can continue beyond the current funding period. On this basis, it should be possible in future to jointly develop innovative ideas and approaches to development and to implement these as a member of the Initiative of German Research Practice Networks to raise at national level.
We & our partners
University campuses
FoPraNet-BW brings together specialist expertise from the fields of general practice, healthcare research, medical informatics and IT security.
Participating higher education institutions:
- Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care (Tübingen University Hospital)
- Department of General Practice and Healthcare Research (Heidelberg University Hospital)
- Department of General Practice (Freiburg University Hospital)
- Department of General Practice (Ulm University Hospital)
- Faculty of Computer Science (Reutlingen University)
Research practices/Research practicesPLUS
The participating practices contribute their expertise in general practice and internal medicine, thereby enabling relevant research – tailored to the day-to-day needs of general practice – to be carried out within the framework of methodologically sound studies.
Advisory Board of Experts
FoPraNet-BW includes an interprofessional advisory board. The representatives, who serve in a voluntary capacity, are kept regularly informed about FoPraNet-BW’s activities and advise the network, drawing on their expertise from academia and clinical practice.
Current members:
- Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Baden-Württemberg (KV-BW)
- Association of General Practitioners of Baden-Württemberg
- HÄVG AG Southern Regional Directorate (HÄVG)
- AOK Baden-Württemberg
- Barmer Regional Association
- Association of Medical Professions e.V. / Southern Regional Association
- LAG Selbsthilfe BW e.V.
Initiative of German Research Practice Networks
The initiative’s central co-ordination office provides the regional networks of research practices with an infrastructure for communication and collaboration. Cross-cutting issues such as quality assurance, continuing professional development for research practices, data protection and, in particular, common IT standards are harmonised and coordinated. This creates a sustainable foundation for research in general practice in Germany.
Coordination Office for Research Practice Networks:
Other members of the Initiative for German Research Practice Networks:
FoPraNet-BW Committee
The FoPraNet-BW committee comprises representatives from research practices as well as representatives from general practice departments at the university hospitals and Reutlingen University. The FoPraNet-BW committee supports the expansion of the network and is developing a sustainability plan to safeguard and ensure the long-term viability of the research infrastructure.
Objectives of the committee
The FoPraNet-BW committee works collectively to develop further healthcare-related projects for the outpatient sector, so that research in this sector can continue in the future. This is particularly relevant as research in and with general practice practices makes an important contribution to the development of (early-career) GPs interested in research, as well as to the role of medical assistants in the GP context, thereby strengthening general practice. Furthermore, the current expansion of the FoPraNet-BW network is also being supported. The FoPraNet-BW committee therefore sees itself as a central link between GP practices and university hospitals, with a view to promoting research „From real-world experience, for real-world application“to further develop.
Members of the FoPraNet-BW committee and contact details
Within the committee, both medical assistants and doctors from general practice are represented in equal numbers to ensure that both professional groups are equally represented. Below you will find the members of the FoPraNet-BW committee and their contact details. If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, please feel free to contact the members of the FoPraNet-BW committee. For matters concerning the entire FoPraNet-BW committee, please contact gesamt@fopranetbw-gremium.de.
Tübingen:
Sandra Karch sandra.karch@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Dr Ellen Geiger ellen.geiger@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, Tübingen University Hospital forschungspraxen@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Freiburg:
Ramona Jäger ramona.jaeger@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Dr Georg Steinfurth georg.steinfurth@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Department of General Practice, Freiburg University Hospital forschungspraxen@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Heidelberg:
Elena Yuchnenko elena.juchnenko@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Dr Joachim Kolb joachim.kolb@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Department of General Practice and Healthcare Research, Heidelberg University Hospital forschungspraxen@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Ulm:
Sonja Enderle sonja.enderle@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Dr Stefanie Sandfort stefanie.sandfort@fopranetbw-gremium.de
Department of General Practice, Ulm University Hospital forschungspraxen.allgemeinmedizin@uniklinik-ulm.de
Reutlingen:
Reutlingen: School of Computer Science – Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences forschungspraxen@reutlingen-university.de
Becoming a research practitioner
The scheme is open to all general practice and GP-based internal medicine practices in Baden-Württemberg that are interested in contributing to research into healthcare-related issues arising in everyday GP practice.
Your participation options
Each practice decides for itself to what extent it wishes to be involved in the Research Practice Network on a participatory basis.
Entry requirements
- more than 500 notes per quarter
- Home visits service
- Implementation of disease management programmes
- Formation of a research partnership (doctor and medical assistant)
- Participation in the training programme through the research partnership
- Participation in studies
- Interest in digitalisation
- The joy of interprofessional exchange
Training sessions for the research tandems
The stated aims of the training courses are to ensure that research is conducted in accordance with ethical, data protection and scientific standards, and to provide practical support for your research activities in day-to-day practice.
In addition to theoretical principles, we therefore also attach great importance to practical application in day-to-day clinical practice. Applications for CME credits are submitted to the Baden-Württemberg State Medical Association for these continuing professional development courses.
Scope of the training programme
For research practices taking part in observational studies, for example, a time commitment of 6 teaching units of 45 minutes each is envisaged. For the specialist training required to carry out intervention studies, for example, the training programme provides for 12 teaching units of 45 minutes each.
Training format
Most of the training courses take place online and asynchronously via the ILIAS learning platform. This means that research tandems can decide for themselves when and at what pace they work through the course material.
On a smaller scale, events are planned to take place either in person or via video conference. The aim is to promote direct exchange within our network between the research tandems and the university sites.
University hospitals
Do you have any questions, or would you like your practice to get involved with FoPraNet-BW?
In that case, please contact the university that you feel an affinity with, or the one recommended to you as the relevant point of contact based on the district in which your practice is located.
Studies
During the funding period, three observational studies on depression, heart failure and polymyalgia rheumatica were successfully carried out in collaboration with the research practices.
In addition, an intervention study on intermittent fasting is being carried out (see short video). This will conclude in December 2024.
We will keep you informed of the results of the four studies in due course.
Sharing of experience and knowledge
FoPraNet-BW supports the collaborative and interprofessional exchange of experience and knowledge.
Through direct dialogue between research pairs and academic staff, the study protocols for the pilot studies are to be jointly developed. This will ensure that, in addition to scientific expertise, the experiences and needs arising from day-to-day general practice are taken into account, whilst also making a substantial contribution to research and to the quality of medical practice.
Aims of the studies
In implementing the use cases, FoPraNet-BW is pursuing the following objectives:
- At network level The research infrastructure will be assessed for its feasibility in a general practice setting and its functionality.
- At the level of research practices and institutes Issues relating to primary care are identified and analysed. These findings are intended to fill gaps in the evidence base and contribute to the development of new approaches to care.
- At patient level The aim is for the study results to help improve their medical care.
Other general medical research projects
In addition to FoPraNet-BW, the participating general practice institutions in Baden-Württemberg are also carrying out other research projects aimed at investigating and improving general practice care. The focus is on conditions relevant to general practice, therapeutic procedures, as well as topics such as innovative care structures and digitalisation, ensuring the next generation of GPs, and initial and continuing professional development.
The following links will take you to the research projects being carried out by the university general practice institutions in Baden-Württemberg that are part of FoPraNet-BW:
News
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New FoPraNet-BW newsletter on the research symposium
We would like to use our newsletter to tell you about our first research symposium, which took place on 21 November 2025! You can subscribe to our newsletter here, and it will be sent to you by email.
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1st FoPraNet-BW Research Symposium
Under the motto „Outpatient research – Networking knowledge – Shaping care“, the first research symposium of the Baden-Württemberg Research Practice Network (FoPraNet-BW) took place in Stuttgart on 21 November 2025. In the presence of a large number of representatives from the general public and patients, GP practices, the Association of General Practitioners, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and the Baden-Württemberg State Medical Association, as well as funding bodies and state ministries, a comprehensive…
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New FoPraNet-BW Newsletter
We’d love to keep you up to date with the latest news from FoPraNet-BW via our newsletter! You can subscribe to our newsletter here, and it will be sent to you by email.
FAQ
Do my practice and the team need to have research experience?
No. We will ensure you are fully prepared for your studies as part of our training programmes, and we will actively guide and support you throughout your studies.
What opportunities are there for me, as a practice, to get involved?
FoPraNet-BW offers you various opportunities to play an active role in the establishment and further development of the network. For example, you are welcome to get involved in piloting the training programme, the questionnaires and the planned IT infrastructure, or to contribute to the design of the studies’ content.
Will the study data be transferred in analogue or digital form?
FoPraNet-BW’s long-term vision is to move away as far as possible from the use of analogue, paper-based transmission of study data and to conduct data exchange via modern and secure digital channels in a structured format. We will move towards this vision step by step over the course of the project. In the early stages of the project, however, it is to be expected that we will still need to rely on these traditional channels.
Do I take on any obligations by participating in FoPraNet-BW?
Tasks and responsibilities are generally agreed with you in writing. As a participating practice, attendance at the training programme and the planned studies is compulsory during the pilot phase until 2025; this stems from the need to test the functionality of the infrastructure that has been set up.
To maintain close contact with you, we would encourage you to attend the annual networking meetings and other FoPraNet-BW events.
Contact
Please select a location to view the contact details here.
Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care
5 Osianderstraße
72076 Tübingen
Tübingen Site Coordination:
Andreas Polanc, MSc.
Email: forschungspraxen@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Tel. +49 (0)7071 29 85285
Fax +49 (0)7071 29 5896
Department of General Practice
Elsässer Str. 2m
79110 Freiburg
Freiburg Site Coordination:
Dr Claudia Salm, M.Sc. (Med.).
Email: forschungspraxen@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Tel. +49 (0)761 270 72490
Fax +49 (0)761 270 72480
Department of General Practice and Healthcare Research
130.3 Neuenheimer Feld
69120 Heidelberg
Heidelberg Site Coordination:
Dr Patrick Haubruck, MD, PhD
Email: forschungspraxen@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Tel. +49 (0)6221-56 38596
Fax +49 (0)6221 56 33664
Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University
Department of General Practice
7 Röntgenstrasse
68169 Mannheim
Mannheim Site Coordination:
Dr Kristina Hoffmann, MSc (Philosophy of Natural Sciences), MSc (Education)
Email: forschungspraxen@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
Tel. +49 (0)621 383 71825
Fax +49 (0)621 383 71801
Department of General Practice – Ulm University Hospital
23 Albert-Einstein-Allee
89081 Ulm
Ulm Site Coordination:
Prof. Dr Anne Barzel, MD
Email: forschungspraxen.allgemeinmedizin@uniklinik-ulm.de
Tel. +49 (0)731 500 57901
Fax +49 (0)731-500 57915
Faculty of Computer Science – Medical Information Systems
150 Alteburgstraße
72762 Reutlingen
Reutlingen Site Coordination:
Sven Dörflinger
Email: forschungspraxen@reutlingen-university.de
Tel. +49 (0)7121 271 4024
Fax +49 (0)7121 271 4032
