Identifying and prioritizing uncertainties: patient and clinician engagement in the identification of research questions

摘要: Background To arrive at an agreed, prioritized ranking of treatment uncertainties in asthma that need further research, by developing a collaboration patients, carers and clinicians, facilitated the James Lind AllianceWorking Partnership between Asthma UK and British Thoracic Society. Methods A four-step procedure: (1) establish collaborative Working Partnership; (2) identify and collect using patient survey analysing existing systematic reviews, clinical guidelines query-answering services; (3) categorize uncertainties; and (4) convene workshop nominal group process to ranked prioritization in asthma. Findings Agreement rankings were reached for 10 uncertainties. The highest was given uncertainty surrounding adverse effects inhaled oral steroids. The top three priorities dealt with management issues, where uncertainties still exist, namely concerns about side oral steroids, how to manage asthma when other illnesses exist or rely on personal decisions an ever-changing illness (self-management). Interpretation key outcome is generation list uncertainties in asthma, agreed patients health professionals, inform the commissioning new research. Such large number patient-identified treatment uncertainties had not previously been identified literature, indication perhaps that asthma self-management neglected research area. Whether results have influence of funding yet known.