ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document): A reporting guideline for consensus methods in biomedicine developed via a modified Delphi

In biomedical research, it is often desirable to seek consensus among individuals who have differing perspectives and experience. This is important when evidence is emerging, inconsistent, limited, or absent. Even when research evidence is abundant, clinical recommendations, policy decisions, and pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS medicine Vol. 21; no. 1; p. e1004326
Main Authors: Gattrell, William T., Logullo, Patricia, van Zuuren, Esther J., Price, Amy, Hughes, Ellen L., Blazey, Paul, Winchester, Christopher C., Tovey, David, Goldman, Keith, Hungin, Amrit Pali, Harrison, Niall
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Public Library of Science 23.01.2024
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:
Analysis
Biomedical Research
Biopharmaceutics
Check lists
Checklist
Consensus
Decision making
Delphi method
Delphi technique
Ethics
Evidence-based medicine
Guidelines and Guidance
Humans
Medical personnel
Medical research
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine, Experimental
Methods
Policy
Practice guidelines (Medicine)
Product development
Professionals
Research and Analysis Methods
Science Policy
Stockholders
Systematic review
Trust
United Kingdom
United Kingdom > UK
ISSN:1549-1676, 1549-1277, 1549-1676
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In biomedical research, it is often desirable to seek consensus among individuals who have differing perspectives and experience. This is important when evidence is emerging, inconsistent, limited, or absent. Even when research evidence is abundant, clinical recommendations, policy decisions, and priority-setting may still require agreement from multiple, sometimes ideologically opposed parties. Despite their prominence and influence on key decisions, consensus methods are often poorly reported. Our aim was to develop the first reporting guideline dedicated to and applicable to all consensus methods used in biomedical research regardless of the objective of the consensus process, called ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document). We followed methodology recommended by the EQUATOR Network for the development of reporting guidelines: a systematic review was followed by a Delphi process and meetings to finalize the ACCORD checklist. The preliminary checklist was drawn from the systematic review of existing literature on the quality of reporting of consensus methods and suggestions from the Steering Committee. A Delphi panel (n = 72) was recruited with representation from 6 continents and a broad range of experience, including clinical, research, policy, and patient perspectives. The 3 rounds of the Delphi process were completed by 58, 54, and 51 panelists. The preliminary checklist of 56 items was refined to a final checklist of 35 items relating to the article title (n = 1), introduction (n = 3), methods (n = 21), results (n = 5), discussion (n = 2), and other information (n = 3). The ACCORD checklist is the first reporting guideline applicable to all consensus-based studies. It will support authors in writing accurate, detailed manuscripts, thereby improving the completeness and transparency of reporting and providing readers with clarity regarding the methods used to reach agreement. Furthermore, the checklist will make the rigor of the consensus methods used to guide the recommendations clear for readers. Reporting consensus studies with greater clarity and transparency may enhance trust in the recommendations made by consensus panels.
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PL is a member of the UK EQUATOR Centre, based in the University of Oxford; EQUATOR promotes the use of reporting guidelines, many of which are developed using consensus methods, and she is personally involved in the development of other reporting guidelines. WTG is an employee of Bristol Myers Squibb. KG is an employee and shareholder of AbbVie. APH, in the past 5 years, has worked with Reckitt Benckiser for the development of the definitions and management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. CCW is an employee, Director, and shareholder of Oxford PharmaGenesis Ltd, a Director of Oxford Health Policy Forum CIC, a Trustee of the Friends of the National Library of Medicine, and an Associate Fellow of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford. NH is an employee of OPEN Health Communications. ELH is an employee of Camino Communications. DT is co–editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology and chairs the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Centre for Biomedical Transparency. AP, PB and EJvZ report no conflicts of interest. At the outset of the work, NH was an employee of Ogilvy Health UK, WTG was an employee of Ipsen, and ELH was an employee of OPEN Health Communications at the time of manuscript development.
ISSN:1549-1676
1549-1277
1549-1676
DOI:10.1371/journal.pmed.1004326