EASD Guidance Documents
EASD has for decades had a prominent role in co-producing and endorsing guidance documents with other important societies. While we do recognise the importance of working together on topics that have common relevance to different societies, we have been challenged in the past by proposed joint documents that have arrived at the EASD offices at different stages of preparation; this compromises the concept of joint effort building on the vision of the EASD experts and principles.
To provide a clear understanding on the different types of documents, EASD has defined the different types of documents it produces: Guidelines, Consensus Reports, Position Statements and Expert Opinion Reports - a detailed overview has been published in Diabetologia. You can access the full document here.
Guidelines
Definition
Clinical practice guidelines are statements that include recommendations intended to optimise patient care that are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.
They embody trustworthy evidence-based recommendations developed through a rigorous and transparent methodology aligned with high methodological standards and employing a systematic process consistent with National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and the Guidelines International Network (GIN) principles, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and adhering to the domains of the AGREE (Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation) II instrument.
How to initiate
Mainly initiated by the EASD according to its SOP for the development of guideline documents published in Diabetologia.
Joint guidelines initiated by other entities must be willing to adhere to EASD Cooperation principles. Prior to development, submit a detailed proposal to GOC via the EASD Executive Office (clinicalaffairs@easd.org).
What to include in a proposal
- The topic and outline
- Information on which organisations will be included
- Information on the proposed composition of the writing group (associations/experts involved), including the number of representatives per organisation and the recruitment process
- The role(s) and areas of expertise of those directing the guideline exercise, as well as how people with lived experience of diabetes will be involved
- The envisaged timeline
- Information on how the group will work together (e.g., number of online or face-to-face meetings)
- COI forms for all proposed authors
Criteria for EASD endorsement
Adherence to the principles described in “Cooperation with other associations in guideline documents” in the SOP.
The GOC will review the proposal and recommend endorsement based on the principles described in its SOP.
Publication
OA publication in an EASD journal (subject to acceptance by EIC; OA cost covered by EASD) + EASD website + EASD dissemination channels.
Consensus Reports
Definition
Consensus reports reflect the collective agreement of a panel of experts on a particular health-related issue, such as definition of a disease, diagnostic criteria, disease management, treatment approaches or healthcare policy.
Consensus reports provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence on a particular topic; they target a broad audience, including healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders.
Various methodologies have been developed to achieve consensus including the Delphi method, nominal group technique, RAND/UCLA appropriateness method (RAM) and consensus meetings; these are set out in the ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document) framework.
How to initiate
Prior to development, submit a detailed proposal to CCA via the EASD Executive Office (clinicalaffairs@easd.org)
What to include in a proposal
- The topic and outline
- Information on which organisations will be included
- Information on the proposed composition of the writing group (associations/experts involved), including the number of representatives per involved organisation and recruitment process
- The role(s) and areas of expertise or experience of those directing the consensus exercise, as well as how people with lived experience of diabetes will be involved
- The envisaged timeline
- Information on how the group will work together (e.g., number of online or face-to-face meetings), the methods that will be used and the steps that will be taken to gather panellist input and reach consensus (e.g. Delphi method, RAND-UCLA appropriated method, nominal group technique)
- COI forms for all proposed authors
Criteria for EASD endorsement
The EASD should be involved at an early stage of the development and before writing begins.
The CCA will review the proposal and recommend endorsement based on novelty, relevance, importance and topicality.
Proposals arriving at a later stage in the process will be handled as expert opinion reports. On a case-by-case basis, a request for endorsement by EASD as an international consensus report may be considered, provided that ACCORD and/or other appropriate methodologies were used in development.
Publication
Position Statements
Definition
Position statements are formal declarations that articulate a (clinical) viewpoint on a specific issue within healthcare, shared and endorsed by the EASD.
The statements provide clarity, guidance and advocacy on matters that are significant to the diabetes community. They inform stakeholders, including policymakers, professionals and the public, about the organisation’s position and may influence decision-making, policy development and practices within the healthcare field.
Position statements typically address complex and contentious issues for which existing evidence may be limited or unavailable. They take into account professional expertise and ethical considerations, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to promoting health, well-being, high-quality care and equity.
How to initiate
Prior to development of the position, submit a detailed proposal to CCA via the EASD Executive Office (clinicalaffairs@easd.org).
What to include in a proposal
- The topic and outline of the position statement
- Information on which organisations will be included
- Information on the composition of the writing group (associations/experts involved), including the number of representatives per organisation
- Information on plans to involve people with lived experience of diabetes
- The envisaged timeline
- COI forms for all proposed authors
Criteria for EASD endorsement
The EASD should be involved at an early stage of development and before writing begins.
The CCA will review the proposal and recommend endorsement based on novelty, relevance, importance and topicality.
Proposals arriving at a later stage in the process will be treated as expert opinion reports.
Publication
Expert Opinion Reports
Definition
Expert opinion reports are critical assessments of a medical topic and provide an opportunity to disseminate latest research and clinical practice to a wider healthcare professional readership.
How to initiate
Contact the CCA via the EASD Executive Office (clinicalaffairs@easd.org). Submit a proposal prior to development for a higher probability of endorsement.
What to include in a proposal
- The topic and outline of the expert opinion report
- Information on which organisations will be included
- Information on the composition of the writing group (associations/experts involved), including the number of representatives per organisation
- Information on plans to involve people with lived experience of diabetes
- The envisaged timeline
- COI forms for all proposed authors
Criteria for EASD endorsement
The EASD should ideally be involved at an early stage of the development.
The CCA will review the proposal or the document and recommend endorsement based on the quality of the proposal/document and EASD priorities and ongoing documents.
Publication
EASD website + EASD dissemination channels; the CCA/Board will advise on publication in an EASD journal.