gms | German Medical Science

Background: The development of rigorous, evidence-based guidelines requires significant time by many people. PEBC staff methodologists work with our clinical partners to optimize efficiencies in the process. Nonetheless, length of time continues to be a challenge. To better manage the expectations of sponsors and participants in our guideline projects, we want to be better able to make accurate predictions of guideline development time.

Objectives: To identify factors that influence the time required to complete the development of a guideline. To identify factors that can be used to estimate the duration of future projects. To identify factors that can be modified to shorten development time.

Methods: Participants in PEBC guideline projects (staff, clinical partners, sponsors) were asked to identify factors that affect guideline development time. Data from the PEBC projects database was analyzed to explore the relationship between identified factors and development time.

Results: Factors to be investigated include: Scope of guideline, Attributes of the evidence, Attributes of guideline development group, Programmatic factors.

Discussion: The PEBC has a well developed process and protocol for developing cancer guidelines. Findings from this work will be applicable for other guideline projects and to non-cancer topics and will identify priorities for future methodological initiatives aimed to shorten development time.

Implications for guideline developers/users: Taking into account the factors that affect guideline development time may help guideline developers to better manage resources and expectations while maintaining the quality and rigour of guidelines.