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A memorandum of understanding has facilitated guideline development involving collaborating groups
Murad Alam1, Thomas Sd Getchius2, Holger Schünemann3
1Guidelines International Network (GIN), Guidelines Collaboration Working Group; Departments of Dermatology, Surgery, and Otolaryngology, and Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Objective:
Collaboration between groups can facilitate the development of high-quality guidelines. While collaboration is often desirable, misunderstandings can occur. One method to minimize misunderstandings is the pre-specification of terms of engagement in a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This study considered when an MOU may be most helpful, and which key elements should be included.
Study Design And Setting:
An international panel of representatives from guideline groups was convened. A literature review to identify publications and other documents relevant to the establishment of MOUs between two or more guideline groups, supplemented by available source documents, was used to inform development of a draft MOU resource. This was iteratively refined until consensus was achieved.
Results:
The level of detail in an MOU may vary based on institutional preferences and the particular collaboration. Elements within an MOU include those pertaining to: (1) scope and purpose; (2) leadership and team; (3) methods and commitment; (4) review and endorsement; and (5) publication and dissemination.
Conclusion:
Since groups may have different expectations regarding how a collaboration will unfold, an MOU may mitigate preventable misunderstandings. The result may be a higher likelihood of producing a guideline without disruption and delay.
Insights
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) can prevent misunderstandings between guideline development groups. Key elements for MOUs include scope, leadership, methods, review, and dissemination to ensure smooth collaboration.
Area of Science:
- Health policy
- Clinical guideline development
- Collaborative research
Background:
- Effective collaboration is crucial for developing high-quality clinical guidelines.
- Misunderstandings can arise between collaborating groups, potentially delaying or disrupting the guideline process.
- A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a tool to pre-specify terms of engagement and minimize such issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine when a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is most beneficial for collaborations between guideline development groups.
- To identify essential elements that should be included in an MOU for effective inter-group collaboration.
Main Methods:
- Convened an international panel of representatives from guideline development groups.
- Conducted a literature review on MOUs for guideline collaborations.
- Developed and iteratively refined a draft MOU resource based on expert consensus.
Main Results:
- The level of detail in an MOU can be adapted to institutional preferences and specific collaborations.
- Key elements for inclusion in an MOU encompass scope and purpose, leadership and team, methods and commitment, review and endorsement, and publication and dissemination.
Conclusions:
- An MOU can mitigate preventable misunderstandings stemming from differing expectations between collaborating groups.
- Implementing an MOU increases the likelihood of producing guidelines efficiently, free from disruption and delay.
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