Impact of Two Studies on Future of NGC

AHRQ Annual ConfSept 19, 20111:30 – 3:00pm

What is the NGC?

Online database of structured summaries of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), describing more than 40 attributes of CPGs, including underlying methodology used to develop each guideline

Freely available since 1999; Redesigned site launched July 2010

Currently has summaries for 2600 guidelines from over 200 different guideline developers

Future of NGC

Moderator: Mary Nix, AHRQ Speakers:

– Michelle Tregear, AFYA Inc– Rick Shiffman, Yale School of Medicine

AHRQ Response: Mary Nix Discussants: Panel + You

Evaluation of NGC program impact– Has NGC had an impact? If so, how?– Not focused on Web site; focused on

program IOM study on developing trustworthy

guidelines (sister study on systematic review)

2 AHRQ-commissioned studies

Michelle Tregear, PhD Rick Shiffman, MD

AHRQ Response

IOM Standards for Developing Trustworthy Guidelines– Recommendation: NGC provide clear

indication of the extent to which CPGs adhere to standards for trustworthiness

Right now:– Over 2600 guidelines summaries from 203

developers– How many would meet all the IOM

standards for trustworthiness?– Zero!

Response to IOM

It is not practical or possible for NGC to implement the IOM Committee’s recommendation immediately and across the board.

Response to IOM

NGC will be providing the indication1. Working with experts to prioritize2. Assessing methods, web options3. Determining when

Response to IOM: specifics

NGC Team:– Plan to phase in documenting adherence,

starting with 3 to 5 that seem feasible and most critical to ensure trustworthiness. Inputs from experts

– Conduct a small pilot using recent guidelines to determine which IOM standards they meet and where they fall short.

– Make recommendations to AHRQ regarding how to proceed with implementation.

Key Response to IOM

AHRQ Response

Evaluation Study – AHRQ Opportunities– Increase physician awareness of NGC– Revisit NGC’s inclusion criteria – Revisit NGC’s age criterion – Increase knowledge among guideline

developers about how to create and report trustworthy guidelines

– Identify additional efforts to enhance the dissemination of guidelines

– Invest in major enhancements that will increase the value of NGC

Evaluation Study Response

AHRQ will work with the NGC team on:– Major enhancements

(over next 2 years) Customized site, email

(my NGC, my NQMC) Indicate trustworthiness

– Adopting IOM definition– Exploring changing

inclusion criteria Systematic review Aging

Evaluation Study Response

AHRQ will consider in context of extremely tight budget– Best ways to raise awareness among

physicians– Additional mechanisms for dissemination– Its and NGC’s role in helping guideline

developers create and report trustworthy guidelines

QUESTIONS??

Mary.Nix@ahrq.hhs.gov