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Abstract
Background: A Plain language summary (PLS) is a stand-alone summary of a Cochrane Systematic Review and should provide rapid access to its content. A clear PLS is essential to ensure that systematic reviews are useful to users who are not familiar with the more technical content of the review. Explaining the results of a Diagnostic Test Accuracy (DTA) review in plain language is challenging. The review methodology and results are less familiar than reviews of interventions and the two dimensional nature of the measure of a test’s accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) introduces further complexity. Additionally, DTA reviews are characterized by a large degree of heterogeneity in results across studies. The reason for this variation is not always clear and explaining this to readers is difficult. A further challenge is providing information about the downstream consequences of testing. Challenges in the interpretation of DTA reviews may be different for different target user groups, but this is something that has yet to be established. Ideally, a PLS should be accessible to all potential target audiences (patients, clinicians, policy makers).
Objectives: To develop a template and guidance for PLS for Cochrane DTA reviews. Our specific objectives were to:
1. identify potential user groups of PLS for DTA reviews;
2. identify needs of different users of PLS and how they would prefer results of DTA reviews to be presented;
3.develop and define a PLS structure and guidance for DTA review authors that meets the needs of users.
Methods:
The project is following a four-stage approach: qualitative focus groups, one-on-one user testing, a web-based survey, and producing a template and guidance for PLS for DTA reviews based on the findings from the first three stages. The stages of the project are outlined in the Figure.
Results and conclusions: We have completed the focus group stage of the project and are currently at the user testing stage. The presentation will provide an overview of the process used to develop the PLS and accompanying guidance, introduce the PLS and provide an insight into issues raised during the development of the PLS.
Objectives: To develop a template and guidance for PLS for Cochrane DTA reviews. Our specific objectives were to:
1. identify potential user groups of PLS for DTA reviews;
2. identify needs of different users of PLS and how they would prefer results of DTA reviews to be presented;
3.develop and define a PLS structure and guidance for DTA review authors that meets the needs of users.
Methods:
The project is following a four-stage approach: qualitative focus groups, one-on-one user testing, a web-based survey, and producing a template and guidance for PLS for DTA reviews based on the findings from the first three stages. The stages of the project are outlined in the Figure.
Results and conclusions: We have completed the focus group stage of the project and are currently at the user testing stage. The presentation will provide an overview of the process used to develop the PLS and accompanying guidance, introduce the PLS and provide an insight into issues raised during the development of the PLS.