title: The Harmonizing Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) roadmap: a methodological framework to develop core sets of outcome measurements in dermatology.
abstract: Core outcome sets (COSs) are consensus-derived minimum sets of outcomes to be assessed in a specific situation. COSs are being increasingly developed to limit outcome-reporting bias, allow comparisons across trials, and strengthen clinical decision making. Despite the increasing interest in outcomes research, methods to develop COSs have not yet been standardized. The aim of this paper is to present the Harmonizing Outcomes Measures for Eczema (HOME) roadmap for the development and implementation of COSs, which was developed on the basis of our experience in the standardization of outcome measurements for atopic eczema. Following the establishment of a panel representing all relevant stakeholders and a research team experienced in outcomes research, the scope and setting of the core set should be defined. The next steps are the definition of a core set of outcome domains such as symptoms or quality of life, followed by the identification or development and validation of appropriate outcome measurement instruments to measure these core domains. Finally, the consented COS needs to be disseminated, implemented, and reviewed. We believe that the HOME roadmap is a useful methodological framework to develop COSs in dermatology, with the ultimate goal of better decision making and promoting patient-centered health care.
authors.affiliation: Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Medical Sociology, Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Apfelbacher
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Centre, Department of Dermatology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Phyllis I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Spuls
authors.affiliation: Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Kim S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Masutaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furue
authors.affiliation: Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.affiliation: Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Hywel C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D032921:Consensus; D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004485:Eczema / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results