Background:

As the need for evidence-based guidelines following strict methodological standards is increasing, there is a corresponding need to increase the European Respiratory Society's (ERS) methodological capacity.

Objectives:

To establish a Fellowship in Guideline Methodology in collaboration with authoritative international organisations.

Methods:

The fellowship is divided into two parts:
• Training in systematic reviews in a specialised centre.
• Work placement in a large guideline-development body that will give the fellow the unique opportunity to observe and take part in different stages of guideline development. The fellow observes/participates in most steps of guideline development as well as participating in different committee meetings and discussions. They also undertake a short project of their own interest.

Cochrane was chosen for the systematic review training as it produces high-quality systematic reviews of global impact and leads in methodological development. Following a systematic and transparent process,
the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) was chosen for the work placement as it is a world-recognised organisation for developing clinical guidelines.

Results:

Two fellows per year are appointed via application and interview, from scientists and clinicians who have an interest in guideline-development methodology. Two fellows completed the scheme in 2016 and two fellows have been appointed for 2017. Throughout the fellowship, they are supervised by staff from Cochrane, NICE and the ERS methodologist.

Conclusions:

Benefits for the ERS are the rigorous training of methodologists who will then contribute to ERS guideline development. NICE has the opportunity to consolidate links with the ERS, the leading professional organisation in its field in Europe.