Recommendations Process
RECOMMENDATIONS, IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION PROCESS
Each year CHEP passes through a highly structured and systematic process designed to minimize bias. The Recommendations Task Force (RTF) sub-group librarians conduct systematic literature searches. The evidence collected is graded using an evidence-based grading scheme and draft recommendations are developed. The draft recommendations are reviewed by the Central Review Committee (CRC) whose un-biased experts in evidence-based medicine and clinical epidemiology ensure that the recommendations are developed through a consistent approach. The CRC may suggest revisions to the sub-groups. The evidence and draft recommendations are presented by the CRC to the RTF at an annual meeting. Here the recommendations may be revised further. At the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, the finalized draft recommendations are presented to the Recommendations Task Force and Executive. Only those recommendations that achieve greater than 70% support are adopted. The adopted recommendations are then published. The recommendations are further digested into short summaries and key messages that can be easily communicated to health care professionals. A variety of publications including scientific manuscripts, and short clinical and scientific summaries for a variety of audiences are submitted to several relevant journals. The program also produces handouts, posters, pocket cards, advertisements, educational slide kits, text books, and workshops that communicate new messages and emphasize important concepts for health care professionals. The Outcomes Research Task Force (ORTF) examines outcomes data across Canada to assess the impact of the program. Five sub-groups of the ORTF examine hospitalization and mortality; awareness and treatment of hypertension; diagnosis of hypertension; national prescriptions of antihypertensive medication; and the economics of hypertension.
WHY THE PROCESS IS IMPORTANT
The recommendations process updates clinical practice recommendations annually to keep the management and prevention mechanisms up-to-date with current research. The ability to revisit contentious issues and review new evidence annually results in strong support from CHEP members and respect in the health care professional community. The structured process avoids divisive arguments based on the diversity of personal opinions. The program is multidisciplinary involving pharmacists, family doctors, nurses and medical specialists, a sociologist and an exercise physiologist. The collective skill set of membership includes expertise in hypertension, public health, continuing health education, knowledge translation, epidemiology, outcomes research, and specific disciplines within the hypertension framework. Messaging is tailored to specific health care disciplines.