[Health services research in dermatology. Current status].

Assessment of benefits and quality of medical healthcare treatment is becoming more and more important. In order to accurately carry out this assessment and to assure a reliable planning of health care, valid data are needed. Health services research is an interdisciplinary field of research, which provides information on disease and health care and to uncover suboptimal and incorrect services. This information can be used to improve the quality of treatment and to increase efficiency. In order to obtain information on the health care for skin and allergic diseases the German Center for Health Services in Dermatology (CVderm) was founded in 2005. It is actively involved in the coordination and conducation of health care, collaborating with other university groups.