What the study found
The article concludes that a structured, iterative topic prioritization process can support living evidence-informed guidelines. It describes a three-phase approach for choosing guideline topics: preprioritization, prioritization, and postprioritization.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that this approach helps target resources, respond to new evidence, and keep living evidence-informed guidelines relevant. They also say it can give target users access to recommendations on priority topics in rapidly changing clinical and public health settings.
What the researchers tested
The article reviews methodological work on how to prioritize topics for guideline development in the context of living evidence-informed clinical and public health guidelines. It draws on the most up-to-date articles on guideline prioritization methodology.
What worked and what didn't
The process uses evidence mapping, which summarizes existing evidence guidance, and advisory groups, which help rank topics by relevance and feasibility. The article says this can classify topics as urgent, important, or not important, and that it supports timely and efficient development of living guideline topics.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide a detailed account of the specific studies included or report quantitative comparisons. It also does not describe limitations beyond the fact that the work focuses on topic prioritization for living evidence-informed guidelines.
Key points
- The article supports a structured approach to prioritizing topics for living evidence-informed guidelines.
- The process is described as having three phases: preprioritization, prioritization, and postprioritization.
- Evidence mapping and advisory groups are used to rank topics by relevance and feasibility.
- Topics can be classified as urgent, important, or not important.
- The authors say the approach helps keep guidelines responsive to emerging evidence.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Structured prioritization supports living guideline development
- Authors:
- Ankita Shashikant Bhosale, Olivia R. Urquhart, Carolina Castro Martins-Pfeifer, Francisca Verdugo-Paiva, Michael Glick, Alonso Carrasco-Labra
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-02
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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