Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The World Health Organization (WHO) produces the Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) since 1977. Its purpose is to prioritize medicines through identifying the most effective therapeutic options in each disease area. Recommendations by health guideline groups on medications are important in defining appropriate uses and there is potential to build synergies between the processes of developing recommendations. In some countries the national EML and guidelines are aligned and complement one each other.
Objectives:
To explore decision criteria in EML recommendations and identify synergies between developing essential medicine lists and developing practice guidelines.
Methods:
We are conducting semi-structured, open-ended qualitative interviews with purposefully sampled key informants with experience in the development of essential medicine lists and/or practice guidelines to ask about the decision process and link between each other. We are transcribing and analysing interviews in NVivo v12 using a closed-loop iterative coding and thematic analysis technique. Themes are extracted to support the development of a decision-framework and software solution to support cohesive approach and close alignment between EML and guidelines that may have greater impact than single component in isolation.
Results:
The project interviews and analysis are in the process of completion, with final results including themes to be included for the abstract presentation.
Conclusions:
The decision process for essential medicines has significant similarities with decisions made by health guideline groups. Building synergies these two processes can be reinforced by building a framework, and a software tool to support a united approach. Further evaluation is warranted to better understand the utility of this approach.
Consumer Involvement:
We worked with guideline and EML sponsor organizations to identify experts and end-users of guidelines and EMLs to invite to participate in this study. We will work with an advisory group through the process to involve consumers of guidelines and EMLs in the analysis and development of a framework and software solution.
The World Health Organization (WHO) produces the Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) since 1977. Its purpose is to prioritize medicines through identifying the most effective therapeutic options in each disease area. Recommendations by health guideline groups on medications are important in defining appropriate uses and there is potential to build synergies between the processes of developing recommendations. In some countries the national EML and guidelines are aligned and complement one each other.
Objectives:
To explore decision criteria in EML recommendations and identify synergies between developing essential medicine lists and developing practice guidelines.
Methods:
We are conducting semi-structured, open-ended qualitative interviews with purposefully sampled key informants with experience in the development of essential medicine lists and/or practice guidelines to ask about the decision process and link between each other. We are transcribing and analysing interviews in NVivo v12 using a closed-loop iterative coding and thematic analysis technique. Themes are extracted to support the development of a decision-framework and software solution to support cohesive approach and close alignment between EML and guidelines that may have greater impact than single component in isolation.
Results:
The project interviews and analysis are in the process of completion, with final results including themes to be included for the abstract presentation.
Conclusions:
The decision process for essential medicines has significant similarities with decisions made by health guideline groups. Building synergies these two processes can be reinforced by building a framework, and a software tool to support a united approach. Further evaluation is warranted to better understand the utility of this approach.
Consumer Involvement:
We worked with guideline and EML sponsor organizations to identify experts and end-users of guidelines and EMLs to invite to participate in this study. We will work with an advisory group through the process to involve consumers of guidelines and EMLs in the analysis and development of a framework and software solution.