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Setting priorities in clinical and health services research: Properties of an adapted and updated method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2010

Silvina Berra ,
Emília Sánchez ,
Joan M. V. Pons ,
Cristian Tebé ,
Jordi Alonso  and
Marta Aymerich
Silvina Berra
Affiliation:
Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research (CAHTA) and CIBERESP (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública), Spain
Emília Sánchez
Affiliation:
Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research (CAHTA) and CIBERESP (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública), Spain
Joan M. V. Pons
Affiliation:
Department of Health, Catalonia; Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research (CAHTA); and CIBERESP (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública), Spain
Cristian Tebé
Affiliation:
Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research (CAHTA) and CIBERESP (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública), Spain
Jordi Alonso
Affiliation:
IMIM – Hospital del Mar; Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona; and CIBERESP (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública), Spain
Marta Aymerich
Affiliation:
University of Girona
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Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study is to review the set of criteria of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for priority-setting in research with addition of new criteria if necessary, and to develop and evaluate the reliability and validity of the final priority score.

Methods: Based on the evaluation of 199 research topics, forty-five experts identified additional criteria for priority-setting, rated their relevance, and ranked and weighted them in a three-round modified Delphi technique. A final priority score was developed and evaluated. Internal consistency, test–retest and inter-rater reliability were assessed. Correlation with experts’ overall qualitative topic ratings were assessed as an approximation to validity.

Results: All seven original IOM criteria were considered relevant and two new criteria were added (“potential for translation into practice”, and “need for knowledge”). Final ranks and relative weights differed from those of the original IOM criteria: “research impact on health outcomes” was considered the most important criterion (4.23), as opposed to “burden of disease” (3.92). Cronbach's alpha (0.75) and test–retest stability (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.66) for the final set of criteria were acceptable. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for overall assessment of priority was 0.66.

Conclusions: A reliable instrument for prioritizing topics in clinical and health services research has been developed. Further evaluation of its validity and impact on selecting research topics is required.

Keywords

Health services researchPriority-settingResearch assessment
Type
METHODS
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , April 2010 , pp. 217 - 224
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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