Evaluation of the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of two methods of involving patients with disability in developing clinical guidelines: study protocol of a randomized pragmatic pilot trial.
BACKGROUND
Despite growing interest in the importance of, and challenges associated with the involvement of patient and population (IPP) in the process of developing and adapting clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), there is a lack of knowledge about the best method to use. This is especially problematic in the field of rehabilitation, where individuals with disabilities might face many barriers to their involvement in the guideline development and adaptation process. The goal of this pilot trial is to document the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of two methods of involving patients with a disability (traumatic brain injury) in CPG development.


METHODS
A single-blind, randomized, crossover pragmatic trial will be performed with 20 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). They will be randomized into two groups, and each will try two alternative methods of producing recommendations; a discussion group (control intervention) and a Wiki, a webpage that can be modified by those who have access to it (experimental intervention). The participants will rate the acceptability of the two methods, and feasibility will be assessed using indicators such as the number of participants who accessed and completed the two methods, and the number of support interventions required. Twenty experts, blinded to the method of producing the recommendations, will independently rate the recommendations produced by the participants for clarity, accuracy, appropriateness and usefulness.


CONCLUSIONS
Our trial will allow for the use of optimal IPP methods in a larger project of adapting guidelines for the rehabilitation of individuals with TBI. Ultimately the results will inform the science of CPG development and contribute to the growing knowledge about IPP in rehabilitation settings.


BACKGROUND
Clinical trial KT Canada 87776.
Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec, 525, boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec G1M 2S8, QC, Canada. marie-eve.lamontagne@cirris.ulaval.ca.
Marie-Eve
ME
Lamontagne
Kadija
K
Perreault
Marie-Pierre
MP
Gagnon
D001292:Attitude to Computers; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010358:Patient Participation; D057240:Patient Preference; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011792:Quebec; D012107:Research Design; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome