How to Develop a Guideline
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How is evidence reviewed?
Primary literature reviews are sometimes funded by the Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) through Evidence-Based
Practice Centers (EPCs) utilizing a formal solicitation process
for topic selection
At times, the ACCP methodologist or a panel member experienced
in evidence-based medicine may do the literature review.
At other times, the ACCP may contract directly with the EPCs
through a proposal-based bidding process.
- When use of an EPC is planned, a Request for Proposals (RFP)
for the evidence review must be submitted to the EPCs. To review
an outline and sample RFP, please click
here.
Steps in the literature review include:
- Topic assessment and modification
- Development of inclusion and exclusion criteria
- Refinement and focus of the clinical questions to be addressed
- Design of the literature identification strategy
- Screening of the studies for inclusion
- Collection and abstraction of the data
- Summarization of the data in evidence tables, using meta-analysis
if possible
- Assignment of the quality of evidence ratings
- External peer review (optional).
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