Current practices and challenges in adaptation of clinical guidelines : A qualitative study based on semistructured interviews
Song, Yang (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau)
Ballesteros Silva, Mónica Patricia (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública)
Li, Jing (Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron)
Martínez Garciá, Laura (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública)
Niño de Guzmán, Ena Pery (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau)
Vernooij, Robin W. M. (University Medical Centre Utrecht)
Akl, Elie A (Department of Internal Medicine. American University of Beirut)
Cluzeau, Francoise (Consultant, London, UK)
Alonso-Coello, Pablo (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Date:	2021
Abstract:	Objective This study aims to better understand the current practice of clinical guideline adaptation and identify challenges raised in this process, given that published adapted clinical guidelines are generally of low quality, poorly reported and not based on published frameworks. Design A qualitative study based on semistructured interviews. We conducted a framework analysis for the adaptation process, and thematic analysis for participants' views and experiences about adaptation process. Setting Nine guideline development organisations from seven countries. Participants Guideline developers who have adapted clinical guidelines within the last 3 years. We identified potential participants through published adapted clinical guidelines, recommendations from experts, and a review of the Guideline International Network Conference attendees' list. Results We conducted ten interviews and identified nine adaptation methodologies. The reasons for adapting clinical guidelines include developing de novo clinical guidelines, implementing source clinical guidelines, and harmonising and updating existing clinical guidelines. We identified the following core steps of the adaptation process (1) selection of scope and source guideline(s), (2) assessment of source materials (guidelines, recommendations and evidence level), (3) decision-making process and (4) external review and follow-up process. Challenges on the adaptation of clinical guidelines include limitations from source clinical guidelines (poor quality or reporting), limitations from adaptation settings (lacking resources or skills), adaptation process intensity and complexity, and implementation barriers. We also described how participants address the complexities and implementation issues of the adaptation process. Conclusions Adaptation processes have been increasingly used to develop clinical guidelines, with the emergence of different purposes. The identification of core steps and assessment levels could help guideline adaptation developers streamline their processes. More methodological research is needed to develop rigorous international standards for adapting clinical guidelines.
Note:	Funding YS is funded by China Scholarship Council (No 201707040103).
Note:	Altres ajuts: CSC/201707040103
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Qualitative research ; Quality in health care ; Statistics & research methods
Published in:	BMJ open, Vol. 11 Núm. 12 (february 2021) , p. e053587, ISSN 2044-6055

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053587
PMID: 34857574

13 p, 727.3 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut de Recerca Sant Pau
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles