Exploring Healthcare Consumer Involvement in Clinical Practice Guideline Development
Abstract
Involving healthcare consumers (HCCs) in clinical practice guideline (CPG) development can lead to identification of topics that guidelines should consider. To evaluate the strategies being used to involve HCCs in CPG development, a description of these strategies is needed. This study utilized qualitative description to analyze CPGs and related documents. Professionals involved in CPG development were also interviewed. Patients, family members, and informal caregivers have been involved in the formulation of recommendations, CPG reviewing and editing, and through use of patient resources. According to the results, involving HCCs is done to incorporate patient preferences and values into CPGs, and to improve their impact. By failing to provide opportunity for ongoing communication between stakeholders, some strategies may fail to ensure that input from HCCs is considered. Strategies being used will need to be evaluated in the future to ensure they are achieving the desired effects.