Background: National Clinical Guidelines (NCGs) are the foundation of quality improvement in healthcare. Guideline development involves both technical (evidence synthesis) and social (translation of research evidence into recommendations) processes. Evidence synthesis methodology has evolved with the range of different evidence synthesis approaches steadily increasing. Guidance is lacking on the most appropriate methodologies for developing or updating guidelines, how to communicate the findings of evidence synthesis and how to support guideline development group (GDG) members (clinical, non-clinical and patients) with moving from evidence to recommendations. The overarching aim of this research is to support clinical guideline development processes by developing a ‘toolkit’ for evidence producers and end-users. This toolkit will support: 1. Optimal selection of evidence synthesis methods 2. Communication of the findings of evidence synthesis and 3. Translation of research evidence into recommendations. Methods: There are four inter-related work-packages (WP). WP1 will update and adapt an existing conceptual algorithm to optimise selection of evidence synthesis methods in the context of guideline development. Its acceptability to key stakeholders will be explored, and guidance on the contexts in which particular approaches may be acceptable will be developed. WP2 will identify effective formats to present and communicate findings of evidence summaries that are acceptable to various GDG stakeholders. WP3 will explore GDGs experiences of turning the findings of evidence synthesis into recommendations using the GRADE evidence to decision making framework (EtD), identifying areas where the EtD framework could be modified and adapted. The findings of the three WPs will be integrated into the toolkit which will be presented to key stakeholders at a one day stakeholder workshop (WP4). Implications: The findings from this research will improve current best practice in guideline development. As NCGs are the foundation of quality improvement in healthcare, this will improve quality of care, patient outcomes and cost effectiveness.
