The Effective Health Care Program Stakeholder Guide

Evidence-based Practice Center

Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) are the research centers that the AHRQ EHC Program contracts with to conduct the research. One or more investigators from the EPC participate in the Key Informant calls. The EPC schedules and facilitates the call(s), develops the agenda, takes and distributes meeting minutes, and incorporates input from the Key Informants to develop the clear, precise draft Key Questions that will be posted on the Web for public comment. They also develop the analytic framework that guides the research.

Key Informant

Approximately six to nine Key Informants—patients and caregivers, policymakers, practicing clinicians, relevant professional and consumer organizations, purchasers of health care, and others with experience relevant to the topic—are identified to participate in the call(s). The role of the Key Informant group is to provide feedback on the preliminary research questions. These questions should address the issues most important to patients, caregivers, clinicians, potential guideline developers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The input of Key Informants is used to develop Key Questions that guide a systematic review on a particular topic. Individual Key Informants are selected because they represent a particular perspective (e.g., patient, clinician, guideline developer). Key Informants are asked to represent this particular perspective throughout the topic refinement process in order to ensure a broad range of input.

AHRQ Task Order Officer

The Task Order Officer (TOO) is assigned to the topic by AHRQ and participates in all topic refinement calls. The role of the TOO is to oversee the work assignment, process, and products. The TOO is available to answer process questions and provide input regarding topic scope and definition.

John M. Eisenberg Clinical Decisions and Communications Science Center

The Eisenberg Center uses the systematic reviews to develop plain-language summary guides for clinicians, consumers, and policymakers. At least one Eisenberg Center representative participates in the Key Informant call(s). The Eisenberg Center representative(s) may provide input regarding topic scope and definition, as well as other aspects of topic refinement that may relate to the development of the final translational documents. The involvement of the Eisenberg Center at the topic refinement stage is intended to firmly connect the final translational documents with the initial topic refinement process. This enhances the utility of the translational products and increases alignment between nominator intent, actual research, and final translational products.

Scientific Resource Center

The Scientific Resource Center provides methodological guidance to the EPCs and conducts the initial nomination development and selection process.