title: Formatting modifications in GRADE evidence profiles improved guideline panelists comprehension and accessibility to information. A randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of formatting alternatives in Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence profiles on guideline panelists' preferences, comprehension, and accessibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 116 antithrombotic therapy guideline panelists to review one of two table formats with four formatting alternatives. After answering relevant questions, panelists reviewed the other format and reported their preferences for specific formatting alternatives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Panelists (88 of 116 invited [76%]) preferred presentation of study event rates over no study event rates (median 1 [interquartile range (IQR) 1] on 1-7 scale), absolute risk differences over absolute risks (median 2 [IQR 3]), and additional information in table cells over footnotes (median 1 [IQR 2]). Panelists presented with time frame information in the tables, and not only in footnotes, were more likely to correctly answer questions regarding time frame (58% vs. 11%, P<0.0001), and those presented with risk differences and not absolute risks were more likely to correctly interpret confidence intervals for absolute effects (95% vs. 54%, P<0.0001). Information was considered easy to find, easy to comprehend, and helpful in making recommendations regardless of table format (median 6, IQR 0-1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Panelists found information in GRADE evidence profiles accessible. Correct comprehension of some key information was improved by providing additional information in table and presenting risk differences.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, Oslo, Norway. per.vandvik@gmail.com
authors.forename: Per Olav
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Vandvik
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Santesso
authors.forename: Elie A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Akl
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Sohail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mulla
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Bradley C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brozek
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kreis
authors.forename: Linn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Holger J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schünemann
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guyatt
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D032882:Comprehension; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D003626:Data Display / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents