Uncertainty extraction and verification for the Common Conditions Affecting the Hand and Wrist Priority Setting Partnership: A proposed methodology for Priority Setting Partnerships with the James Lind Alliance

ObjectiveTo report our recommended methodology for extracting and confirming published research uncertainties during a broad scope Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) with the James Lind Alliance. SettingThis process was completed in the UK as part of the PSP for "Common Conditions Affecting the Hand and Wrist", comprising of health professionals, patients and carers. Design and Data ExtractionWe applied best practice in systematic review methodology and reporting, including independent screening and data extraction by multiple researchers and use of a PRISMA flowchart, alongside steering group consensus processes. Data SourcesCochrane Systematic Reviews and Protocols, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) Guidelines, and SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) Guidelines. Selection CriteriaSelection of research uncertainties was guided by the scope of the Common Conditions Affecting the Hand and Wrist PSP which focused on "common hand conditions routinely treated by hand specialists, including hand surgeons and hand therapists limited to identifying questions concerning the results of intervention, and not the basic science or epidemiology behind disease. ResultsOf 2358 records identified after duplicate extraction which entered the screening process, 186 records were presented to the PSP steering group for eligibility assessment; 79 were deemed within scope and included for the purpose of research uncertainty extraction (45 full Cochrane Reviews, 18 Cochrane Review protocols, 16 Guidelines). These yielded 89 research uncertainties, which were compared to the stakeholder survey, and added to the longlist where necessary; before derived uncertainties were checked against non-Cochrane published systematic reviews. ConclusionsIn carrying out this work, beyond reporting on output of the Common Conditions Affecting the Hand and Wrist PSP, we detail the methodology and processes we hope can inform and facilitate the work of future PSPs and other evidence reviews, especially those with a broader scope beyond a single disease or condition. Strengths and Limitations- This is a novel and rigorous approach to uncertainty extraction and verification in the setting of a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership. - The detailed methodology provides transparency regarding the extraction and verification of uncertainties. - The uncertainty extraction and verification relied upon the HandSRev database - similar resources may not be available for other Priority Setting Partnerships.