Applying rapid response methods to a patient priority setting project

Session: 

Oral session: Priority setting (2)

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 17:00 to 17:10

Location: 

Carrick 3

All authors in correct order:

Sebastianski M1, Featherstone R2, Gates M3, Gates A3, Nuspl M1, Bialy L1, Hartling L4
1 Alberta Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit Knowledge Translation Platform, University of Alberta, Canada
2 Alberta Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit Knowledge Translation Platform, University of Alberta; Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE), Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Cochrane Child Health, Canada
3 Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE), Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Canada
4 Alberta Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit Knowledge Translation Platform, University of Alberta; Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE), Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta; Cochrane Child Health, Canada
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Robin Featherstone

Contact person:

Meghan Sebastianski
Robin Featherstone
Abstract text
Background: Patient priority setting projects (PPSPs) can reduce bias in research agendas. A key element of any PPSP is to review available literature to determine if the proposed research priorities have been addressed previously. The knowledge synthesis component can identify research gaps, recognize opportunities for knowledge translation and avoid duplication of research efforts.
Objectives: We present our approach for utilizing rapid response methods to review available evidence for research priorities identified through a PPSP.
Methods: We undertook 11 rapid responses of nine priorities suitable for knowledge synthesis in support of a PPSP that had identified 11 research priorities. We generated researchable questions that reflected the original intent of the priorities and used them to build search strategies. We developed research protocols for each question and used study design search filters to facilitate staged screening based on the quantity and quality of the evidence. We applied expedited knowledge synthesis methods to summarize the evidence.
Results: For all but one of the rapid responses we identified existing systematic reviews (SRs) (median 7 SRs, range 0 to 179). This allowed us to map the available literature efficiently with respect to type and quality, and identify topic areas where uncertainties remain and/or the quality of evidence is poor. Despite the volume of evidence, the complexity of the questions made them difficult to answer. Many questions had multiple components; therefore, at times there was evidence for some but not all components (e.g. some interventions or outcomes).
Conclusions: Rapid response approaches have the potential to support PPSPs. To be most helpful, priorities need to be formulated into specific, searchable and answerable research questions. Involving researchers with expertise in knowledge synthesis throughout the PPSP would optimize the process. Finally, the PPSP should specify criteria a priori regarding the extent and certainty of evidence required to make recommendations for practice and future research needs.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: The PPSP that produced the research priorities involved patients, caregivers and clinicians throughout the process. They were meaningfully engaged in development of the public survey as well as refinement and ranking of the research priorities.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

This presentation will describe how knowledge synthesis efforts help inform patient priority setting activities. We will discuss how researchers interpreted priorities raised by a patient priority setting project and how review methods were applied to synthesize available evidence. We will discuss how results of the reviews can be used either to confirm an evidence gap and justify a call for new primary research, or to identify when knowledge translation efforts are needed to share research findings with patients and their families.