Article type
Abstract
"Background: The Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) aims to update our ACE Clinical Guidances (ACGs) on a 5-yearly basis. Balancing the work required for maintaining updated ACGs with our Expert Group (EG)’s commitments, ACE has traditionally sought the EG’s inputs only after completing the evidence review. Occasionally, this results in receiving EG feedback on clinical gaps post initial evidence synthesis, leading to additional literature review rounds.
Objective: To study the benefits and feasibility of early EG engagement during the update of the ACG on venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment.
Methods: A 12-item survey was sent via email to the multidisciplinary VTE EG (haematologists, family physicians, and a cardiology pharmacist), with the aim to assess the existing ACG’s applicability and currency – including new clinical areas to be covered. Insights on interventions to promote ACG uptake were also gathered, with no consumer involvement.
Results/ Discussion: All EG members submitted their responses. Several new clinical areas were surfaced for inclusion in the updated ACG. Based on their feedback, evidence reviews were conducted to update the existing ACG and assess the appropriateness of expanding the ACG scope to cover the additional patient groups (for example, VTE treatment in perioperative settings was eventually excluded from the updated ACG due to its complex considerations, which might require a substantial expansion of the scope). This early assessment enabled the timely identification of areas where evidence is scarce and therefore greater expert input would be required. Two rounds of consensus were sought from the EG to finalise the updated ACG’s recommendations. Additional feedback from the survey pertained improvements in the ACG’s visual elements, such as enhancing the existing treatment algorithm as a comprehensive resource for clinicians seeking a quick reference for appropriate anticoagulation therapy.
Conclusions: Early EG input when updating the VTE ACG has enabled the timely identification of key areas for inclusion in the evidence review process, supporting evidence-based decision making across more patient groups. As a result, ACE’s guideline development processes will be fine-tuned to incorporate earlier EG engagement and feedback on ACG updates, where feasible.
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Objective: To study the benefits and feasibility of early EG engagement during the update of the ACG on venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment.
Methods: A 12-item survey was sent via email to the multidisciplinary VTE EG (haematologists, family physicians, and a cardiology pharmacist), with the aim to assess the existing ACG’s applicability and currency – including new clinical areas to be covered. Insights on interventions to promote ACG uptake were also gathered, with no consumer involvement.
Results/ Discussion: All EG members submitted their responses. Several new clinical areas were surfaced for inclusion in the updated ACG. Based on their feedback, evidence reviews were conducted to update the existing ACG and assess the appropriateness of expanding the ACG scope to cover the additional patient groups (for example, VTE treatment in perioperative settings was eventually excluded from the updated ACG due to its complex considerations, which might require a substantial expansion of the scope). This early assessment enabled the timely identification of areas where evidence is scarce and therefore greater expert input would be required. Two rounds of consensus were sought from the EG to finalise the updated ACG’s recommendations. Additional feedback from the survey pertained improvements in the ACG’s visual elements, such as enhancing the existing treatment algorithm as a comprehensive resource for clinicians seeking a quick reference for appropriate anticoagulation therapy.
Conclusions: Early EG input when updating the VTE ACG has enabled the timely identification of key areas for inclusion in the evidence review process, supporting evidence-based decision making across more patient groups. As a result, ACE’s guideline development processes will be fine-tuned to incorporate earlier EG engagement and feedback on ACG updates, where feasible.
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