Abstract
Objective
This article discusses the identification, selection, and refinement of topics for
comparative effectiveness systematic reviews within the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality's Effective Health Care (EHC) program.
Study Design and Setting
The EHC program seeks to align its research topic selection with the overall goals
of the program, impartially and consistently apply predefined criteria to potential
topics, involve stakeholders to identify high-priority topics, be transparent and
accountable, and continually evaluate and improve processes.
Results
A topic prioritization group representing stakeholder and scientific perspectives
evaluates topic nominations that fit within the EHC program (are “appropriate”) to
determine how “important” topics are as considered against seven criteria. The group
then judges whether a new comparative effectiveness systematic review would be a duplication
of existing research syntheses, and if not duplicative, if there is adequate type
and volume of research to conduct a new systematic review. Finally, the group considers
the “potential value and impact” of a comparative effectiveness systematic review.
Conclusion
As the EHC program develops, ongoing challenges include ensuring the program addresses
truly unmet needs for synthesized research because national and international efforts
in this arena are uncoordinated, as well as engaging a range of stakeholders in program
decisions while also achieving efficiency and timeliness.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 22, 2009
Accepted:
March 10,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
