This method of knowledge-evaluation marks the Institute's key scientific competence which will be utilized in a number of different fields. On the one hand, the methodological know-how will constitute the basis for establishing a pool of reliable and relevant data for the use of practicing physicians. This will be achieved predominantly through the database - the heart of the Institute which can be accessed at www.evimed.ch. The second focus is the support of studies initiated by practicing physicians. Physicians who want to conduct a study will be offered competent consulting by the Horten-Center in matters regarding the collection and analysis of data and the preparation of questionnaires. This service is free of charge. The Institute's infrastructure may be used for the analysis of the data. The goal of this approach is to promote the work of practicing physicians and thus to improve medical care significantly. The Institute's third objective concerns the integration of Evidence-Based-Medicine in the academic curriculum. Physicians should achieve some competence during their studies in the critical evaluation of research results and in questions of medical evidence in the decision-making process.