[GPS--good practice secondary data analysis. Working Group for the Survey and Utilization of Secondary Data (AGENS) of the German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP)].

The scientific use of secondary data, especially of claims data from health insurance funds, has continuously increased in the last years. Therefore the Working Group "Collection and Use of Secondary Data" (AGENS) of the German Society of Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP) took the initiative to define quality standards for secondary data analysis. Starting with a review of the Good Epidemiologic Practice (GEP) AGENS adapted the GEP to the specific requirements of secondary data analysis by a multi-stage consensus process. The guideline Good Practice Secondary Date Analysis (GPS) was adopted on January 15 (th), 2005. GPS consists of 10 guidelines which are divided in explaining comments and recommendations. The GPS are targeted to set up standards for secondary data analysis, and they may also be used as a foundation of contracts between data owners and scientists. They are addressed to scientists from health services research and social medicine. AGENS commits itself to revise GPS continuously.