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Challenges of rapid reviews for diagnostic test accuracy questions: a protocol for an international survey and expert consultation.

Arevalo-Rodriguez, Ingrid, Tricco, Andrea C, Steingart, Karen, Nussbaumer-Streit, Barbara, Kaunelis, David, Alonso-Coello, Pablo, Baxter, Susan, Bossuyt, Patrick M and Zamora, Javier (2019) 'Challenges of rapid reviews for diagnostic test accuracy questions: a protocol for an international survey and expert consultation.'. Diagnostic and Prognostic Research, Vol 3, e7.

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Abstract

Background
Assessment of diagnostic tests, broadly defined as any element that aids in the collection of additional information for further clarification of a patient's health status, has increasingly become a critical issue in health policy and decision-making. Diagnostic evidence, including the accuracy of a medical test for a target condition, is commonly appraised using standard systematic review methodology. Owing to the considerable time and resources required to conduct these, rapid reviews have emerged as a pragmatic alternative by tailoring methods according to the decision maker's circumstances. However, it is not known if streamlining methodological aspects has an impact on the validity of evidence synthesis. Furthermore, due to the particular nature and complexity of the appraisal of diagnostic accuracy, there is need for detailed guidance on how to conduct rapid reviews of diagnostic tests. In this study, we aim to identify the methods currently used by rapid review developers to synthesize evidence on diagnostic test accuracy, as well as to analyze potential shortcomings and challenges related to these methods.
Methods
We will carry out a two-fold approach: (1) an international survey of professionals working in organizations that develop rapid reviews of diagnostic tests, in terms of the methods and resources used by these agencies when conducting rapid reviews, and (2) semi-structured interviews with senior-level individuals to further explore and validate the findings from the survey and to identify challenges in conducting rapid reviews. We will use STATA 15.0 for quantitative analyses and framework analysis for qualitative analyses. We will ensure protection of data during all stages.
Discussion
The main result of this research will be a map of methods and resources currently used for conducting rapid reviews of diagnostic test accuracy, as well as methodological shortcomings and potential solutions in diagnostic knowledge synthesis that require further research.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 525 General works
WB Practice of Medicine > Diagnosis > General Diagnosis > WB 141 General works
WB Practice of Medicine > Diagnosis > General Diagnosis > WB 200 Physical diagnosis (General)
WC Communicable Diseases > WC 20 Research (General)
Faculty: Department: Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1186/s41512-019-0052-y
Depositing User: Stacy Murtagh
Date Deposited: 17 May 2019 09:56
Last Modified: 17 May 2019 14:57
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/10789

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