Chapter 4: Timeline for Topic Nomination, Evidence Review, and Report Completion

The timeline for completion of an EPC report varies, depending on factors such as the type of report required, the number and clarity of questions, the volume of relevant evidence, and the current workload of the EPC to which a topic is assigned.  Topics with well-defined questions are likely to be produced in less time than those with broad and/or vague questions. 

From the time of the topic nomination, the benchmarks in the EPC report process are as follows:

• Topic selection and EPC assignment announcement:  After preliminary reviews on nominated topics are completed, the topics are evaluated according to established criteria, selected, approved, and then assigned to the EPCs.  The amount of time required for these steps can vary and depends on many factors, including the number of nominations, quality of proposed key questions, and other ongoing agency activities.
• Topic refinement:  One of the first tasks of the EPC is to consult with the Key Informants and to assess the current state of the literature to inform the scope of the review.  A summary document is prepared and submitted to AHRQ.  After review, the key questions are posted to AHRQ's Web site for public comment.  
• Report completion:  Completion depends on type of evidence report.  Most comprehensive evidence reports entail about 12 months from the time of topic assignment to completion. 

When nominating a topic, partners may state a need for the information by a specific time.  AHRQ will consider this as it reviews the topic nomination and defines the type of report that is most appropriate. 

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Considering Past Performance for Partner Organizations

Partners are expected to fulfill all their roles and responsibilities as defined above.  In determining partners' past performance, AHRQ will consider their  efforts to translate and disseminate products derived from EPC evidence reports, as well as successes in using these products, and, finally, their  impact on the quality of health care. 

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Translation, Dissemination, and Impact Measurement

Partners

Partners' efforts to take the following steps are essential to the success of the EPC program:

• Translate EPC evidence reports into practice guidelines, quality improvement products, educational curricula and/or health care policies.
• Disseminate partner-developed products to their members and other appropriate target audiences.
• Measure the use of these products by partners' members and other target groups, and their impact on quality of care.

As noted above, the partners' topic nominations must include plans to translate and disseminate the findings of evidence reports and technology assessments. While these plans may change based on the findings of an EPC report and other considerations, partners nevertheless  should describe at the time of the nomination how they intend to make use of the EPC report findings. 

Upon completion of an evidence report, the AHRQ Task Order Officer (TOO) will contact the partner organization to ask about the status of plans for translation and dissemination and will periodically inquire about the partner's dissemination efforts to:

• Translate the evidence reports and technology assessments into clinical practice guidelines, performance measures, educational curricula, etc.
• Disseminate the resultant derivative products.
• Measure use of these products and their impact on clinical care, health behaviors, or policies.

EPCs

EPCs may engage in efforts to translate and disseminate their reports and measure their use and impact. 

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Resources for Effective Translation and Dissemination

Figure 3 provides examples of translation and dissemination activities and methods or indicators for monitoring their use. 

Figure 3: Framework for Considering Translation, Dissemination and Use

Example	Activity
	Translation	Dissemination	Use and Impact
Clinical Practice Guidelines	Develop a process for generating guidelines. Convene an internal workgroup. Develop target group-specific guidelines. Collaborate with other organizations.	Distribute via Internet, CD, or hard copy to clinicians, patients, payers, others. Publish in peer-reviewed journals. Publicize in popular press. Describe at conferences. Make posters for sites of care.	Clinical practice patterns. Patient compliance, adoption of health behaviors. Changes in payer coverage policies. Community feedback. Changes in health outcomes.
Performance Measures	Developed/validate a new measure. Test skills. Create scale of acceptable performance. Collaborate with other organizations.	Distribute via Internet, CD, or hard copy to clinicians, patients, payers, standards-setting organizations. Publish in peer-reviewed journals. Distribute information of new measures to providers, patients.	Routine schedule for use of measures. Announcement of results. Procedure for unsatisfactory performance. Scores on measures. Assessment activities implemented.
Educational Curricula	Develop course materials. Identify faculty to help develop and present curricula. Collaborate with other groups in curriculum development.	Publish in hard copy, video, or other formats. Publish as continuing medical education (CME) material in clinical journals. Present at professional meetings. Incorporate into academic programs. Advertise curriculum in various media.	Courses and participants in curriculum-base programs. Changes in clinical practice, patient compliance/health behaviors. Changes in health outcomes.
Policy Change	Payer coverage policy. Health care product or service regulation. New or revised legislation.	Implement or enact policy change. Provide information on change to providers and/or patients. Publish/post articles, FAQs explaining new policy.	Compliance with policy. Changes in clinical practice, patient compliance/health behaviors. Change in utilization patterns, costs.

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