Abstract
Objective
Collaboration between groups can facilitate the development of high-quality guidelines.
While collaboration is often desirable, misunderstandings can occur. One method to
minimize misunderstandings is the pre-specification of terms of engagement in a memorandum
of understanding (MOU). This study considered when an MOU may be most helpful, and
which key elements should be included.
Study design and setting
An international panel of representatives from guideline groups was convened. A literature
review to identify publications and other documents relevant to the establishment
of MOUs between two or more guideline groups, supplemented by available source documents,
was used to inform development of a draft MOU resource. This was iteratively refined
until consensus was achieved.
Results
The level of detail in an MOU may vary based on institutional preferences and the
particular collaboration. Elements within an MOU include those pertaining to: (1)
scope and purpose; (2) leadership and team; (3) methods and commitment; (4) review
and endorsement; and (5) publication and dissemination.
Conclusion
Since groups may have different expectations regarding how a collaboration will unfold,
an MOU may mitigate preventable misunderstandings. The result may be a higher likelihood
of producing a guideline without disruption and delay.
Keywords
Abbreviations:
AGREE II (appraisal of guidelines for research & evaluation instrument), AGREE-REX (appraisal of guidelines for research & evaluation recommendation excellence), COI (conflicts of interest), GIN (guidelines international network), GLIA (guideline implementability appraisal), GRADE (grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation), iCAHE (international centre for allied health evidence] guideline quality check list), MOA (memorandum of agreement), MOU (memorandum of understanding), PICAR (population and clinical areas, interventions, comparators, attributes of CPGs, and recommendation characteristics), PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcomes), PIPOH (professions, outcomes and health care system), PROSPERO (international prospective register of systematic reviews), RIGHT (reporting items for practice guidelines in HealThcare), RWI (relationships with industry), USPSTF (United States preventive services task force)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 16, 2021
Accepted:
December 14,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
