Article
Price-tag of a European ESHRE guideline: price versus quality and speed of development
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Published: | July 10, 2012 |
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Background: We recently started developing evidence-based guidelines within the field of human reproduction. The process, as described in a manual, is executed by 10–15 expert-volunteers, supported by a research specialist for literature evaluations.
Objectives: After one year, we evaluated the price-tag of a guideline and how costs are related to quality and speed of development.
Methods: We questioned our first guideline group on the current development strategy and on methods for increasing speed and quality and/or decreasing costs.
Results: Up to writing recommendations, the first guideline has cost €55600, mainly actual costs from meetings and wages. The total price for this guideline is estimated at €70000. On the questionnaire, all group members reported that the 3 past meetings were necessary and useful, 75% found the number of meetings sufficient and more than 80% found that the meetings were organized at good time points in the process. 75% of the members agreed a 1-week meeting for evidence evaluation, and writing recommendations would speed up the process, 37,5% believes it would decrease quality. Only 12,5% of the members agreed a second research specialist would speed up the process and improve the quality. The results for 2 additional guideline groups are being collected.
Discussion: Costs for guideline development can be kept relatively low by having only 1 research specialist and limited meetings, making guideline development feasible for international organizations. To speed up the guideline development, a 1-week meeting to perform the entire evidence selection process could be considered.