Evidence-Based Guideline Development Process

Roles and Responsibilities of Panel Members

The guideline panel is steered by an Executive Committee composed of the chair or co-chairs, the methodologist, HSP liaison, and the ACCP project manager. The Executive Committee is responsible for panel selection, keeping the project on track, promoting communication, overseeing evidence reviews and deliverables, reviewing all manuscripts, identifying any inconsistencies in the manuscripts, resolving issues that may arise in development, and assisting with media and promotional outreach.

1. The Panel Chair is chosen for his or her reputation as a clinician and/or scientist in the topic area, experience in evidence-based medicine, the ability to organize and work well with a group, writing and editorial skills, and a track record of delivering quality products in a timely fashion. The panel chair is responsible for:

• Reviewing recommendations for nomination of panel members;
• Working with the ACCP project manager to coordinate and manage the guideline development;
• Working with the Evidence-based Practice Center Principle Investigator or ACCP in-house methodologist;
• Participating in regular planning sessions and conference calls;
• Reviewing drafts for scientific content, inconsistencies, biases, and completeness;
• Participating in activities related to dissemination of the guideline and related products; and
• Setting an example and encouraging the panel to follow the processes and regulations for guideline development set by HSP and CHEST.

2. Panel Members are chosen with regard to clinical and/or scientific expertise, diversity in geographic location, and gender, in addition to methodologic and writing skills, and the ability to work well on a team. Nominations for panel members are sought from the NetWorks, the ACCP membership, and the panel chair(s) or other panel members, and reviewed and approved by the HSP Committee. A current curriculum vitae and conflict of interest disclosure statement is kept on file for each panel member. Panel members must sign panelist agreement forms once approved.

3. The HSP Liaison is appointed to represent the HSP Committee, ensure that HSP processes and regulations are followed, assist with panel selection and the scope, and to communicate the progress of the panel and any problems or procedural questions to the HSP Committee. The HSP liaison should also review all chapters or sections of the manuscript prior to the final conference and during the review and approval process.

4. The ACCP Project Manager coordinates the project from inception to publication, promotion, production of implementation and dissemination products, and fielding of queries.

• Facilitating nomination and vetting of panel members;
• Coordinating with the Evidence-based Practice Center, including drafting the request for proposal (RFP), reviewing proposals, facilitating communication with panelists and chair(s), and verifying that evidence and summary tables are formatted according to ACCP style;
• Participating in regular planning sessions and conference calls and keeping minutes and notes;
• Developing a proposed scope of work and outline of the report;
• Supervising responsibilities related to literature reviews and guideline writing;
• Reviewing drafts for scientific content, inconsistencies, biases, and completeness;
• Maintaining a repository of drafts and revisions, as well as other related documents;
• Coordination of logistics, agenda development, materials distribution, and on-site management of the planning meeting and final conference;
• Participating in activities related to dissemination of the guideline and related products;
• Keeping the project on track; and
• Reporting progress to HSP Committee, along with the HSP liaison.

The HSP Committee is the final arbiter of the termination of any guideline panel member. The panel chair(s) can seek the advice of the HSP Committee through the HSP liaison and project manager. Termination must be done in writing. A panel member may be terminated for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

• Failure to disclose a conflict of interest,
• Non-participation,
• Failure to complete assignments in a timely manner, or
• Inability to work as a team member

ACCP Guidelines and Conflict of Interest

Guyatt G, Akl EA, Hirsh J, et al. The vexing problem of guidelines and conflict of interest: a potential solution. Ann Intern Med. 2010;152(11):738-741.

Issues of financial and intellectual conflict of interest in clinical practice guidelines have raised increasing concern. Professional organizations have responded with rigorous regulation of conflicts of interest. Nevertheless, tension remains between the competing goals of optimizing guideline quality by using the experience and insight of experts and ensuring that financial and intellectual conflicts of interest do not influence recommendations. The Executive Committee of the Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, 9th Edition has developed a strategy comprising three innovative aspects to address this tension.