Background:

Groups conducting systematic reviews in health policy and systems research need to prioritize topics according to the needs of policymakers and stakeholders. Such prioritization can help ensure systematic review production is aligned with policy priorities, which, in turn, can promote their use in policy making and practice. A systematic search did not identify a tool to support such prioritization process.

Objectives:

The aim of our study is to develop and validate a tool for prioritizing questions for systematic reviews in health policy and systems research.

Methods:

The development and validation methodology includes the following three stages:
1. definition of the purpose and scope of the too;
2. tool development/item generation; and
3. validation of tool.
The latter stage involves the following steps:
1. establishing content and face validity;
2. pilot testing of tool in real life priority setting exercises with policymakers and stakeholders from different contexts;
3. exploratory factor analysis;
4. reliability testing;
5. external construct validity;
6. refinement and finalization of tool; and
7. translation of tool into different languages.

Results:

We have completed the first two stages, and are currently working on the second step of the final stage. The tool includes two modules: one (14 items) to be completed by policymakers and stakeholders; and the second (nine items) to be completed by systematic reviewers. In the presentation, we will provide a detailed description of the 'finalized' tool, the process and outcome of its development, and how it could be used by systematic review teams and centers. Discussion will also delve into lessons learned and implications for other groups that conduct priority setting exercises for systematic reviews.

Conclusions:

The tool might be helpful for organizations in both prioritizing their systematic review work, and ensuring that they are used to inform policy decisions.