CORE TASKS OF THE TMF
Our Work
Scientific Exchange
We are driving forward scientific dialog in our professional activities. Scientists from various disciplines have their say in the working groups. Together, they shape the future of digitalization in medical research. In doing so, we can build on 25 years of know-how and an interdisciplinary network (e.g., from law, medicine, and technology). The TMF moderates and coordinates the balancing of the interests of researchers and other stakeholders.
Projects
- The TMF acts as a coordinating body for strategically relevant projects at national and international levels. In these projects, medical (collaborative) research solutions are developed and coordinated.
- We develop concepts and project ideas for ministries and scientific institutions - regionally, nationally, and internationally.
- We design and manage large third-party-funded projects.
- One focus is on advising sponsors in collaborative medical research initiatives. Here, we build on our many years of expertise in digitalizing health research.
- By pooling resources, we make an important contribution to efficient, cutting-edge medical research in Germany.
- In addition, we support scientific and methodological projects from our resources, for example, to develop expert opinions, recommendations, IT solutions, or services.
Events
- Networking and exchange with relevant stakeholders are crucial to advancing the digitalization of the healthcare system. In particular, we interlink research and healthcare. Additionally, we develop various event and dialog formats such as congresses, scientific symposiums, workshops, and further training events.
- In addition to professional exchange and knowledge transfer, it is important to us to present complex correlations to the public in an understandable and transparent way.
- The TMF office offers its own event area in the center of Berlin for members and partners.
Products and Services
- Together with our members and cooperation partners, we develop expert opinions, generic concepts, IT applications, as well as training and consulting services. We make these solutions available to the public free of charge.
- The Data Protection Working Group advises research projects on the creation of their data protection concepts. This enables research projects to be carried out more quickly in compliance with data protection regulations.
- The use of standardized methods, formats, and terminology is essential when researchers at different institutions and locations jointly collect and merge data. We promote the development and use of standards in medical research and collaboration with patient care institutions, e.g., CDISC User Group, HL7, SNOMED CT, IHE, and contribute to coordination.
- Key aspects of our work are establishing and operating infrastructures for medical research. The systematic and continuous development of infrastructure is the basis for the use of research data. Through this, we also strengthen Germany as a location for science in European and international competition.
- We bundle and structure the dialog between authorities and scientific institutions (e.g., as a point of contact for data protection concepts).
Shaping Legislation and Politics
The legal and technological framework for the digital transformation of the healthcare system creates major challenges for politics and science. As a neutral advisor and initiator, we are involved in current research and health policy discussions and processes and shape the framework conditions for digitalization in the healthcare sector. We coordinate statements with our members and bring the bundled perspective of science into the political debate. Together, we want to drive forward the digital transformation of the healthcare system in a future-oriented way.
Image Sources: © Yaroslav Astakhov – stock.adobe.com; © TMF e.V.