Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care

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Medicine put to the test

The independent Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen, IQWiG) examines the benefits and harms of medical interventions for patients. We provide information about the advantages and disadvantages of examination and treatment methods in the form of scientific reports and easily understandable health information.

Digital journey through time

Registration for the Autumn Symposium

Press releases

08.10.2024

Communicating science in an entertaining way - how science can also reach people outside the scientific community

Press release

26.06.2024

Search strategies in systematic reviews: IQWiG develops its own app, which is also publicly available

In the journal "Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods", IQWiG authors describe how the new shiny app works and how it can al...

Press release

20.06.2024

Treatment consultations: Shared decision-making measures help

A ThemenCheck report shows: Particularly decision aids can support joint decision-making by patients and doctors. However, health advantages or disadvantages are not...

Press release

19.06.2024

Heavy smokers can benefit from lung cancer screening using low-dose CT

Early diagnosis reduces lung cancer mortality in heavy (ex-)smokers: benefits clearly outweigh harms through mis- or overdiagnosis. Screening design still ope...

Press release

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Easily understandable information for the general public

InformedHealth.org is the English-language version of the German website Gesundheitsinformation.de. By publishing this bilingual website, IQWiG fulfils part of its legal mandate to inform the general public about health issues. By offering a wide range of different topics, the website addresses both patients and (healthy) consumers.

Bunions

Bunions are among the most common foot deformities. The big toe leans towards the other toes and the joint at the base of the big toe bulges out. This can be painful, but not all bunions are. If things like wearing special shoes or using splints don’t help, surgery is an option.

Hearing loss and deafness in adults

Along with aging, the causes of hearing loss mainly include noise and long-lasting ear infections.