Rapid reports

Products known as "rapid reports" aim to provide up-to-date information on relevant current topics or research questions not targeted towards policy decisions by the . The schedule basically corresponds to that used in the production of reports, with the exception that only the final document is published and no intermediate products, such as a report plan or preliminary report.

Working papers are subject to a similar process. The only difference is that the topics are not specified in a commission, but chosen by IQWiG itself.

Production of rapid reports (simplified):

  • Selection of the topic: A rapid report is always initiated by a commission from the or the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), either of which specifies the research question.
  • Formation of a project group: The project group formulates the scientific research question and the outcomes for the project in agreement with the contracting agency and possibly also with external experts.
  • Production of the project outline: The project outline summarizes the key aspects of the assessment procedure.
  • Information retrieval and scientific evaluation: Based on the criteria laid down in the project outline, scientific publications and additional information are searched worldwide, retrieved and screened. Researchers also evaluate the reliability of the results, i.e. the informative value of the data presented.
  • Production of the rapid report: The results of the search and of the scientific evaluation are published as a rapid report.
  • Production of an addendum if needed: If further need for work on the commission arises during the consultations on a rapid report (e.g. if new studies are published), the contracting agency can commission IQWiG with a subsequent addendum.