The proposed Cochrane agenda setting and priority setting methods group: establishing a research program

Article type
Authors
Nasser M1, Welch V2, Ueffing E2, Tugwell P2, Crowe S3, Lieberati A4
1Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
2Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group, Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, Canada
3James Lind Alliance, Oxford, UK
4Italian Cochrane Centre, Italy
Abstract
Background: There is a continuing interest in defining priority topics for systematic reviews inside and outside of the Cochrane Collaboration. However, there is no consensus on the best methods for priority setting. We are establishing a new Methods Group in the Cochrane Collaboration to address this gap.

Objectives: To identify methodological challenges that the Cochrane Collaboration is facing that can be addressed by the future Methods Group.

Methods: We organized five events (workshops and meetings) at previous Cochrane meetings: 1. A workshop at the Cochrane Colloquium in Freiburg, 2008. 2. A workshop at the Cochrane Colloquium in Singapore, 2009. 3. An exploratory meeting in Singapore, 2009. 4. A workshop at the Cochrane Colloquium in Keystone, 2010. 5. A workshop at the UK Cochrane Contributors Meeting, Belfast, 2011. During these sessions, we provided the participants with the opportunity to discuss challenges they are facing to implement a priority-setting approach in their Cochrane entity.

Results: We identified several challenges that the participants faced in planning, conducting, and implementing a priority-setting process in their Cochrane entity. We categorized them into methods and process challenges and implementation issues. The most important methods challenges included: • dealing with inequalities in developing and conducting priority setting. • uncertainties around whom to consult in the prioritisation process and challenges in involving multiple stakeholders in the process • identifying appropriate criteria for conducting a priority-setting strategy. • difficulties in evaluating, implementing, and disseminating prioritisation processes. • methods to prioritise updating of Cochrane reviews. • how to maintain reviewers enthusiasm and making Cochrane reviews relevant and up to date

Conclusions: There are several methods questions on how to prioritize topics for Cochrane reviews that the proposed Methods Group could address. We are currently conducting a number of methods studies to address these challenges.