Table 1

Characteristics of the multistep development process

Generation of the initial versionOptimisation of the toolApproval of the final version
Feasibility testSemistructured interviewsDelphi consensus surveyExternal review with clinical guidelines developersExternal review with clinical guidelines usersPilot test
Objective To develop the initial version of the toolTo explore the feasibility of the toolTo identify current practices in prioritisation processes for updating CGsTo reach a consensus about the included items of the toolTo assess the usefulness* and understanding of each item of the toolTo assess the usefulness* and understanding of each item of the toolTo explore the interobserver reliability of the final version of the toolTo approve the final version of the tool
Study design –Methodological surveySemistructured interviewsDelphi consensus surveySurveySemistructured interviewsMethodological survey–
Participants UpSGCGCG developersCG methodological experts from G-I-N Updating Guidelines Working GroupCG developers from G-I-N communityCG usersCGUpSG
Main outcome –Time to apply the toolParticipants’ experiences with prioritisation processes for updating CGsItems considered important to prioritise clinical questions for updating within a CGUsefulness* rating for each item of the toolParticipants’ views of prioritisation processes for updating CGs with the toolIntraclass coefficient with 95% CI–
Study size –Convenience sampleSampling saturation20–30 participants250 organisations and individual membersSampling saturationConvenience sample–

  • ↵*Usefulness: The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use.29

  • CG, clinical guideline; G-I-N, Guidelines International Network; UpSG, UpPriority Steering Group.