Abstract
BACKGROUND: A COS represents an agreed minimum set of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all trials of a specific condition. The COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials) initiative aims to collate and stimulate the development and application of COS, by including data on relevant studies within a publically available internet-based resource. In recent years, there has been an interest in increasing the development of COS. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an update of a previous review, and examine the quality of development of COS. A further aim was to understand the reasons why individuals are searching the COMET database.
METHODS: A multi-faceted search strategy was followed, in order to identify studies that sought to determine which outcomes/domains to measure in clinical trials of a specific condition. Additionally, a pop up survey was added to the COMET website, to ascertain why people were searching the COMET database.
RESULTS: Thirty-two reports relating to 29 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. There has been an improvement in the description of the scope of a COS and an increase in the proportion of studies using literature/systematic reviews and the Delphi technique. Clinical experts continue to be the most common group involved in developing COS, however patient and public involvement has increased. The pop-up survey revealed the most common reasons for visiting the COMET website to be thinking about developing a COS and planning a clinical trial.
CONCLUSIONS: This update demonstrates that recent studies appear to have adopted a more structured approach towards COS development and public representation has increased. However, there remains a need for developers to adequately describe details about the scope of COS, and for greater public engagement. The COMET database appears to be a useful resource for both COS developers and users of COS.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e0146444 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | PloS one |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 19 Jan 2016 |
Keywords
- Awareness
- Choice Behavior
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Comparative Effectiveness Research
- Databases, Factual
- Humans
- Knowledge
- Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
- Publishing
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review