EU medical experts call for health research networks

Brussels, 13 May 2002

A meeting of European medical experts has concluded that inter-institutional and multidisciplinary networks of cooperation could help to boost EU health research.

More than one hundred specialists met in Granada, Spain, from 8 to 10 May to discuss the prioritisation of research in EU health systems, propose a network for the exchange of health research results and make recommendations for health research priorities under the next EU Framework programme for research, FP6.

Conclusions from the conference 'Research in the health systems of the European Union: needs and priorities' called for the encouragement of inter-institutional and multidisciplinary cooperation networks, focusing on their own research priorities, with the aim of solving health problems and promoting a permanent exchange of knowledge and technologies

The conference's final report also concluded that basic healthcare research should target clinical practice, or translational research, by making use of multidisciplinary research institutes, attracting young scientists to research and enhancing mobility for researchers..

Delegates recommended the inclusion of social impact as a criterion for research evaluation and the encouragement of public-private cooperation in the field of research. They also recommended action to boost the training of scientists, and specified that research policies should be based on health needs, while health policies should be based on research results.

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001