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Nyanchoka L, Tudur-Smith C, Porcher R, Hren D. Key stakeholders' perspectives and experiences with defining, identifying and displaying gaps in health research: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e039932. [PMID: 33172944 PMCID: PMC7656956 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mapping the current body of evidence including what is missing helps provide a better understanding of what research is available, ongoing and needed and should be prioritised. Identifying research gaps can inform the design and conduct of health research by providing additional context information about the body of evidence in a given topic area. Despite the commonly used term 'research gap' in scientific literature, little is written on how to find a 'research gap' in the first place. Moreover, there is no clear methodological guidance to identify and display gaps. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore how key stakeholders define research gaps and characterise methods/practices used to identify and display gaps in health research to further advance efforts in this area. DESIGN This was an exploratory qualitative study using semistructured in-depth interviews. The study sample included the following stakeholder groups: researchers, funders, healthcare providers, patients/public and policy-makers. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS Among the 20 interviews conducted (20 participants), a variety of research gap definitions were expressed (ie, five main themes, including gaps in information, knowledge/evidence gaps, uncertainties, quality and patient perspective). We identified three main themes for methods used to identify gaps (primary, secondary and both primary and secondary) and finally six main themes for the methods to display gaps (forest plots, diagrams/illustrations, evidence maps, mega maps, 3IE gap maps and info graphics). CONCLUSION This study provides insights into issues related to defining research gaps and methods used to identify and display gaps in health research from the perspectives of key stakeholders involved in the process. Findings will be used to inform methodological guidance on identifying research gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Nyanchoka
- Universite de Paris, Paris, Île-de-France, France
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Paris, France
| | - Catrin Tudur-Smith
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Raphaël Porcher
- Universite de Paris, Paris, Île-de-France, France
- Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Darko Hren
- University of Split Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Split, Croatia
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Fadlallah R, El-Harakeh A, Bou-Karroum L, Lotfi T, El-Jardali F, Hishi L, Akl EA. A common framework of steps and criteria for prioritizing topics for evidence syntheses: a systematic review. J Clin Epidemiol 2020; 120:67-85. [PMID: 31846688 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to systematically review the literature for proposed approaches and exercises conducted to prioritize topics or questions for systematic reviews and other types of evidence syntheses in any health-related area. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING A systematic review. We searched Medline and CINAHL databases in addition to Cochrane website and Google Scholar. Teams of two reviewers independently screened the studies and extracted data. RESULTS We included 31 articles reporting on 29 studies: seven proposed approaches for prioritization and 25 conducted prioritization exercises (three studies did both). The included studies addressed the following fields: clinical (n = 19; 66%), public health (n = 10; 34%), and health policy and systems (n = 8; 28%), with six studies (21%) addressing more than one field. We categorized prioritization into 11 steps clustered in 3 phases (preprioritization, prioritization, and postprioritization). Twenty-eight studies (97%) involved or proposed involving stakeholders in the priority-setting process. These 28 studies referred to twelve stakeholder categories, most frequently to health care providers (n = 24; 86%) and researchers (n = 21; 75%). A common framework of 25 prioritization criteria was derived, clustered in 10 domains. CONCLUSION We identified literature that addresses different aspects of prioritizing topics or questions for evidence syntheses, including prioritization steps and criteria. The identified steps and criteria can serve as a menu of options to select from, as judged appropriate to the context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racha Fadlallah
- Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Amena El-Harakeh
- Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lama Bou-Karroum
- Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tamara Lotfi
- Global Evidence Synthesis Initiative (GESI), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fadi El-Jardali
- Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lama Hishi
- Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elie A Akl
- Center for Systematic Reviews on Health Policy and Systems Research (SPARK), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Ontario, Canada.
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Effa EE, Oduwole O, Schoonees A, Hohlfeld A, Durao S, Kredo T, Mbuagbaw L, Meremikwu M, Ongolo-Zogo P, Wiysonge C, Young T. Priority setting for new systematic reviews: processes and lessons learned in three regions in Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001615. [PMID: 31406592 PMCID: PMC6666801 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Priority setting to identify topical and context relevant questions for systematic reviews involves an explicit, iterative and inclusive process. In resource-constrained settings of low-income and middle-income countries, priority setting for health related research activities ensures efficient use of resources. In this paper, we critically reflect on the approaches and specific processes adopted across three regions of Africa, present some of the outcomes and share the lessons learnt while carrying out these activities. Priority setting for new systematic reviews was conducted between 2016 and 2018 across three regions in Africa. Different approaches were used: Multimodal approach (Central Africa), Modified Delphi approach (West Africa) and Multilevel stakeholder discussion (Southern-Eastern Africa). Several questions that can feed into systematic reviews have emerged from these activities. We have learnt that collaborative subregional efforts using an integrative approach can effectively lead to the identification of region specific priorities. Systematic review workshops including discussion about the role and value of reviews to inform policy and research agendas were a useful part of the engagements. This may also enable relevant stakeholders to contribute towards the priority setting process in meaningful ways. However, certain shared challenges were identified, including that emerging priorities may be overlooked due to differences in burden of disease data and differences in language can hinder effective participation by stakeholders. We found that face-to-face contact is crucial for success and follow-up engagement with stakeholders is critical in driving acceptance of the findings and planning future progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel E Effa
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Olabisi Oduwole
- Cochrane Nigeria, Calabar Institute of Tropical Disease Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Anel Schoonees
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ameer Hohlfeld
- Cochrane South Africa, Medical Research Council of South Africa, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Tamara Kredo
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Lawrence Mbuagbaw
- Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Pierre Ongolo-Zogo
- Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health, Central Hospital of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Charles Wiysonge
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Taryn Young
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Shokraneh F, Adams CE. Study-based registers reduce waste in systematic reviewing: discussion and case report. Syst Rev 2019; 8:129. [PMID: 31146776 PMCID: PMC6542007 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-019-1035-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintained study-based registers (SBRs) have, at their core, study records linked to, potentially, multiple other records such as references, data sets, standard texts and full-text reports. Such registers can minimise and refine searching, de-duplicating, screening and acquisition of full texts. SBRs can facilitate new review titles/updates and, within seconds, inform the team about the potential workload of each task. METHODS We discuss the advantages/disadvantages of SBRs and report a case of how such a register was used to develop a successful grant application and deliver results-reducing considerable redundancy of effort. RESULTS SBRs saved time in question-setting and scoping and made rapid production of nine Cochrane systematic reviews possible. CONCLUSION Whilst helping prioritise and conduct systematic reviews, SBRs improve quality. Those funding information specialists for literature reviewing could reasonably stipulate the resulting SBR to be delivered for dissemination and use beyond the life of the project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Shokraneh
- Cochrane Schizophrenia Group, Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, Institute of Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Clive E Adams
- Cochrane Schizophrenia Group, Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, Institute of Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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A scoping review describes methods used to identify, prioritize and display gaps in health research. J Clin Epidemiol 2019; 109:99-110. [PMID: 30708176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Different methods to examine research gaps have been described, but there are still no standard methods for identifying, prioritizing, or reporting research gaps. This study aimed to describe the methods used to identify, prioritize, and display gaps in health research. METHODS A scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework was carried out. We included all study types describing or reporting on methods to identify, prioritize, and display gaps or priorities in health research. Data synthesis is both quantitative and qualitative. RESULTS Among 1,938 identified documents, 139 articles were selected for analysis; 90 (65%) aimed to identify gaps, 23 (17%) aimed to determine research priorities, and 26 (19%) had both aims. The most frequent methods in the review were aimed at gap identification and involved secondary research, which included knowledge synthesis (80/116 articles, 69%), specifically systematic reviews and scoping reviews (58/80, 73%). Among 49 studies aimed at research prioritization, the most frequent methods were both primary and secondary research, accounting for 24 (49%) reports. Finally, 52 (37%) articles described methods for displaying gaps and/or priorities in health research. CONCLUSION This study provides a mapping of different methods used to identify, prioritize, and display gaps or priorities in health research.
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Hoekstra D, Mütsch M, Kien C, Gerhardus A, Lhachimi SK. Identifying and prioritising systematic review topics with public health stakeholders: A protocol for a modified Delphi study in Switzerland to inform future research agendas. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e015500. [PMID: 28780546 PMCID: PMC5724103 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Cochrane Collaboration aims to produce relevant and top priority evidence that responds to existing evidence gaps. Hence, research priority setting (RPS) is important to identify which potential research gaps are deemed most important. Moreover, RPS supports future health research to conform both health and health evidence needs. However, studies that are prioritising systematic review topics in public health are surprisingly rare. Therefore, to inform the research agenda of Cochrane Public Health Europe (CPHE), we introduce the protocol of a priority setting study on systematic review topics in several European countries, which is conceptualised as pilot. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a two-round modified Delphi study in Switzerland, incorporating an anonymous web-based questionnaire, to assess which topics should be prioritised for systematic reviews in public health. In the first Delphi round public health stakeholders will suggest relevant assessment criteria and potential priority topics. In the second Delphi round the participants indicate their (dis)agreement to the aggregated results of the first round and rate the potential review topics with the predetermined criteria on a four-point Likert scale. As we invite a wide variety of stakeholders we will compare the results between the different stakeholder groups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION We have received ethical approval from the ethical board of the University of Bremen, Germany (principal investigation is conducted at the University of Bremen) and a certificate of non-objection from the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (fieldwork will be conducted in Switzerland). The results of this study will be further disseminated through peer reviewed publication and will support systematic review author groups (i.a. CPHE) to improve the relevance of the groups´ future review work. Finally, the proposed priority setting study can be used as a framework by other systematic review groups when conducting a priority setting study in a different context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyon Hoekstra
- Research Group for Evidence-Based Public Health, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS) & Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Margot Mütsch
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Institute University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christina Kien
- Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Ansgar Gerhardus
- Department for Health Services Research, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefan K Lhachimi
- Research Group for Evidence-Based Public Health, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS), Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Series: Clinical Epidemiology in South Africa. Paper 3: Logic models help make sense of complexity in systematic reviews and health technology assessments. J Clin Epidemiol 2017; 83:37-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2016.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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McGregor S, Henderson KJ, Kaldor JM. How are health research priorities set in low and middle income countries? A systematic review of published reports. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108787. [PMID: 25275315 PMCID: PMC4183511 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Priority setting is increasingly recognised as essential for directing finite resources to support research that maximizes public health benefits and drives health equity. Priority setting processes have been undertaken in a number of low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings, using a variety of methods. We undertook a critical review of reports of these processes. METHODS AND FINDINGS We searched electronic databases and online for peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed literature. We found 91 initiatives that met inclusion criteria. The majority took place at the global level (46%). For regional or national initiatives, most focused on Sub Saharan Africa (49%), followed by East Asia and Pacific (20%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (18%). A quarter of initiatives aimed to cover all areas of health research, with a further 20% covering communicable diseases. The most frequently used process was a conference or workshop to determine priorities (24%), followed by the Child Health and Nutrition Initiative (CHNRI) method (18%). The majority were initiated by an international organization or collaboration (46%). Researchers and government were the most frequently represented stakeholders. There was limited evidence of any implementation or follow-up strategies. Challenges in priority setting included engagement with stakeholders, data availability, and capacity constraints. CONCLUSIONS Health research priority setting (HRPS) has been undertaken in a variety of LMIC settings. While not consistently used, the application of established methods provides a means of identifying health research priorities in a repeatable and transparent manner. In the absence of published information on implementation or evaluation, it is not possible to assess what the impact and effectiveness of health research priority setting may have been.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skye McGregor
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Klara J. Henderson
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John M. Kaldor
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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