Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Task Force) develops and disseminates evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for use in primary care across Canada. Using an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach and the Knowledge to Action model, knowledge users (KUs) (e.g. clinicians and patients) are engaged to inform the development of CPGs and associated KT tools (e.g. infographics and algorithms), thereby yielding more relevant and acceptable guidelines and tools. Integrating KU perspectives to inform CPG and KT tool development may improve uptake of evidence-based guidelines, however there is a paucity of literature on how to optimally engage patients in these processes.
Objectives:
1) Identify key KU preferences across a variety of Task Force CPGs, and
2) Discuss lessons learned from the Task Force’s KU engagement process
Methods:
The Task Force engaged KUs at three stages in the CPG development process: (1) selecting outcomes to include in the systematic review protocol that will inform the CPGs, (2) developing CPG recommendations, and (3) developing KT tools. In Stages 1 and 2, the Task Force used focus groups and surveys to identify patient-important outcomes related to the guideline topics. In Stage 3, the Task Force conducted usability testing interviews and focus groups to elicit feedback on the content, format, and usefulness of the KT tools. The Task Force used the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation tool to assess KU experience with the engagement process.
Results:
Since 2010, the Task Force developed 19 CPGs on preventive health care topics using this iKT approach. The Task Force completed Stage 1 with 242 patients across 14 guidelines and Stage 2 with 136 patients across eight guidelines. Patients were 70% female, with mean age 46 years (Range: 13 – 78 years). Participants typically rated outcomes focused on intervention benefits as ‘critical’ for decision-making and rated harms slightly lower (‘important’). Stage 3 was completed with 139 clinicians (67% female, between the ages of 20 -79), and 74 patients (65% female, between the ages of 20 – 79) across 15 guidelines. Most found draft KT tools clear and straightforward; feedback generally focused on layout modifications and requests for additional topic-related information. Participants generally had positive experiences with the engagement process and appreciated the opportunity to contribute to Canadian healthcare.
Conclusions:
The Task Force provides a model for engaging KUs using an iKT approach to elicit their values and preferences at three stages in the CPG development process. The approach helps address literature gaps around effective methods for engaging patients in CPG and KT tool development.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement:
Patients are involved with the Task Force activities and the outlined approach may help CPG development and implementation groups enhance the uptake and applicability of their CPGs.
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Task Force) develops and disseminates evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for use in primary care across Canada. Using an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach and the Knowledge to Action model, knowledge users (KUs) (e.g. clinicians and patients) are engaged to inform the development of CPGs and associated KT tools (e.g. infographics and algorithms), thereby yielding more relevant and acceptable guidelines and tools. Integrating KU perspectives to inform CPG and KT tool development may improve uptake of evidence-based guidelines, however there is a paucity of literature on how to optimally engage patients in these processes.
Objectives:
1) Identify key KU preferences across a variety of Task Force CPGs, and
2) Discuss lessons learned from the Task Force’s KU engagement process
Methods:
The Task Force engaged KUs at three stages in the CPG development process: (1) selecting outcomes to include in the systematic review protocol that will inform the CPGs, (2) developing CPG recommendations, and (3) developing KT tools. In Stages 1 and 2, the Task Force used focus groups and surveys to identify patient-important outcomes related to the guideline topics. In Stage 3, the Task Force conducted usability testing interviews and focus groups to elicit feedback on the content, format, and usefulness of the KT tools. The Task Force used the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation tool to assess KU experience with the engagement process.
Results:
Since 2010, the Task Force developed 19 CPGs on preventive health care topics using this iKT approach. The Task Force completed Stage 1 with 242 patients across 14 guidelines and Stage 2 with 136 patients across eight guidelines. Patients were 70% female, with mean age 46 years (Range: 13 – 78 years). Participants typically rated outcomes focused on intervention benefits as ‘critical’ for decision-making and rated harms slightly lower (‘important’). Stage 3 was completed with 139 clinicians (67% female, between the ages of 20 -79), and 74 patients (65% female, between the ages of 20 – 79) across 15 guidelines. Most found draft KT tools clear and straightforward; feedback generally focused on layout modifications and requests for additional topic-related information. Participants generally had positive experiences with the engagement process and appreciated the opportunity to contribute to Canadian healthcare.
Conclusions:
The Task Force provides a model for engaging KUs using an iKT approach to elicit their values and preferences at three stages in the CPG development process. The approach helps address literature gaps around effective methods for engaging patients in CPG and KT tool development.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement:
Patients are involved with the Task Force activities and the outlined approach may help CPG development and implementation groups enhance the uptake and applicability of their CPGs.