Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: overviews of reviews of healthcare interventions (overviews) compile information from multiple systematic reviews to provide a single synthesis of relevant evidence. Despite their increasing popularity, there are currently no systematically developed reporting guidelines for overviews. As a result, the reporting of published overviews varies considerably and is often incomplete and lacking in transparency.
Objectives: we aim to use explicit, systematic, and transparent methods to develop an evidence-based and agreement-based reporting guideline for overviews of reviews of healthcare interventions - Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR).
Methods: we will develop the PRIOR reporting guideline in four stages, using established methods. Because the unit of analysis in overviews differs from that in systematic reviews, rather than a PRISMA extension we will develop an original stand-alone guideline. This will allow us to focus on the challenges that are unique to the reporting of overviews and facilitate future guideline extensions (e.g. for diagnostic accuracy overviews). First, we established an international and multidisciplinary expert advisory board who will oversee the conduct of the project and provide methodological support. Second, we will use the results of comprehensive literature reviews (i.e. a scoping review of methods guidance for overviews, and a descriptive review of the reporting characteristics of published overviews) to develop a list of prospective checklist items for PRIOR. Third, we will use a three-round, modified Delphi exercise aimed at achieving a high level of expert agreement on the list of items to be included in the PRIOR reporting guideline. We will identify and recruit a diverse group of up to 100 international experts (i.e. editors, authors, peer reviewers, and end users of published overviews, such as guideline developers, policymakers, patients and consumers), who will participate in the Delphi process. The first two rounds will occur via online survey. The third round will occur during a smaller (~8 to 10 participants) in-person meeting using a nominal group technique. Fourth, after reaching consensus on the included items, we will produce and disseminate the PRIOR reporting guideline.
Discussion: a systematically developed reporting guideline specific to overviews will help to improve the accuracy, completeness, and transparency of published overviews. Improving the reporting of overviews will assist in reducing research waste and enhancing the translation of their findings into evidence-based practice, ultimately supporting optimal patient health outcomes.
Patient or consumer involvement: patients and consumers will be directly involved in the development of PRIOR as expert participants on the Delphi panel.
Objectives: we aim to use explicit, systematic, and transparent methods to develop an evidence-based and agreement-based reporting guideline for overviews of reviews of healthcare interventions - Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR).
Methods: we will develop the PRIOR reporting guideline in four stages, using established methods. Because the unit of analysis in overviews differs from that in systematic reviews, rather than a PRISMA extension we will develop an original stand-alone guideline. This will allow us to focus on the challenges that are unique to the reporting of overviews and facilitate future guideline extensions (e.g. for diagnostic accuracy overviews). First, we established an international and multidisciplinary expert advisory board who will oversee the conduct of the project and provide methodological support. Second, we will use the results of comprehensive literature reviews (i.e. a scoping review of methods guidance for overviews, and a descriptive review of the reporting characteristics of published overviews) to develop a list of prospective checklist items for PRIOR. Third, we will use a three-round, modified Delphi exercise aimed at achieving a high level of expert agreement on the list of items to be included in the PRIOR reporting guideline. We will identify and recruit a diverse group of up to 100 international experts (i.e. editors, authors, peer reviewers, and end users of published overviews, such as guideline developers, policymakers, patients and consumers), who will participate in the Delphi process. The first two rounds will occur via online survey. The third round will occur during a smaller (~8 to 10 participants) in-person meeting using a nominal group technique. Fourth, after reaching consensus on the included items, we will produce and disseminate the PRIOR reporting guideline.
Discussion: a systematically developed reporting guideline specific to overviews will help to improve the accuracy, completeness, and transparency of published overviews. Improving the reporting of overviews will assist in reducing research waste and enhancing the translation of their findings into evidence-based practice, ultimately supporting optimal patient health outcomes.
Patient or consumer involvement: patients and consumers will be directly involved in the development of PRIOR as expert participants on the Delphi panel.
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