Development and use of health outcome descriptors: a guideline development case study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12955-020-01338-8
• Publication Date: 2020-06-05T12:02:43Z
• Authors: Tejan Baldeh; Zuleika Saz-Parki...; Paola Muti; Nancy Santesso; Gian Paolo Morgano; Wojtek Wiercioch; Robby Nieuwlaat; Axel Gräwingholt; Mireille Broeders; Stephen Duffy; Solveig Hofvind; Lennarth Nystrom; Lydia Ioannidou-M...; Sue Warman; Helen McGarrigle; Susan Knox; Patricia Fitzpatrick; Paolo Giorgi Rossi; Cecily Quinn; Bettina Borisch; Annette Lebeau; Chris de Wolf; Miranda Langendam; Thomas Piggott; Livia Giordano; Cary van Landsvel...; Jacques Bernier; Peter Rabe; Holger J. Schünemann
• Keywords: Guideline

Abstract Background During healthcare guideline development, panel members often have implicit, different definitions of health outcomes that can lead to misunderstandings about how important these are and balance benefits harms. McMaster GRADE Centre researchers developed ‘health outcome descriptors’ for standardizing descriptions overcoming problems support the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC) Guideline Development Group (GDG). We aimed determine which aspects content, use descriptors were valuable developers. Methods 24 related breast cancer screening diagnosis Eighteen GDG provided feedback in written format or interviews. then evaluated process conducted two utility rating surveys. Results Feedback from revealed probably useful developing recommendations improving transparency methods. Time commitment, methodology training, need multidisciplinary expertise throughout development considered determinants process. Comparison surveys showed a decrease standard deviation second survey across 21 (88%) outcomes. Conclusions Health feasible should be prior prioritization step developers involve subgroup experts all stages ensure trained includes understanding importance defining interest.