The primary goal of the Evidence Synthesis Methodology Working Group (ESM-WG) is to provide a venue for ATS members who are interested in systematic reviews and/or clinical practice guideline methodology to collaborate, troubleshoot methodological challenges, and discuss cutting-edge developments in evidence appraisal and guideline development.
An emphasis of the ESM-WG is to attract young individuals who want to learn how to perform a systematic review, appraise evidence, and/or formulate and grade recommendations using the GRADE approach. The ATS has an urgent need to identify, train, and retain such individuals, in order to increase the society's methodological capacity to support the development of ATS clinical practice guidelines that adhere to the Institute of Medicine's rigorous standards.
The working group is recruiting individuals interested in guideline methodology for on-the-job methodological training on current or future clinical practice guideline panels. Finally, the working group hopes to facilitate collaboration in research projects investigating the methodology of clinical practice guidelines, particularly those methods that affect the balance of efficiency and quality.
Contact: Chair, Kevin C. Wilson, MD, kwilson@thoracic.org
