Top 10 research priorities for people with obstructive sleep apnoea, families and clinicians: James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership

Setting the top 10 priorities for obesity and weight-related research (POWeR): a stakeholder priority setting process

OBJECTIVES

To identify and prioritise the most impactful, unanswered questions for obesity and weight-related research.

DESIGN

Prioritisation exercise of research questions using online surveys and an independently facilitated workshop.

SETTING

Online/virtual.

PARTICIPANTS

We involved members of the public including people living with obesity, researchers, healthcare professionals and policy-makers in all stages of this study.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Top 10 research questions to be prioritised in future obesity and weight-related research.

RESULTS

Survey 1 produced 941 questions, from 278 respondents. Of these, 49 questions held satisfactory evidence in the scientific literature and 149 were out of scope. The remaining 743 questions were, where necessary, amalgamated and rephrased, into a list of 149 unique and unanswered questions. In the second survey, 405 respondents ranked the questions in order of importance. During the workshop, a subset of 38 survey respondents and stakeholders, agreed a final list of 10 priority research questions through small and large group consultation and consensus. The top 10 priority research questions covered: the role of the obesogenic environment; effective weight loss and maintenance strategies; prevention in children; effective prevention and treatment policies; the role of the food industry; access to and affordability of a healthy diet; sociocultural factors associated with weight; the biology of appetite and food intake; and long-term health modelling for obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic and transparent process identified 149 unique and unanswered questions in the field of obesity and weight-related research culminating in a consensus among relevant stakeholders on 10 research priorities. Targeted research funding in these areas of top priority would lead to needed and impactful knowledge generation for the field of obesity and weight regulation and thereby improve population health.

What are the respiratory health research priorities in Alberta, Canada? A stakeholder consultation

OBJECTIVE

The Respiratory Health Strategic Clinical Network (RHSCN) was launched to facilitate respiratory and sleep health through implementation of innovative, patient-centred, evidence-informed coordinated services in Alberta. In collaboration with project partners, the RHSCN aimed to determine the respiratory research priorities for Alberta.

DESIGN

The four phases of this research prioritisation project were (1) identifying research questions from stakeholders, (2) determining which research questions had been answered in existing literature, (3) prioritising unanswered questions and (4) finalising the priorities through an inperson workshop.

SETTING

The study occurred in Alberta, Canada over a 2-year period beginning in March 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 448 patients, clinicians and other stakeholders consented to participate in the survey.

RESULTS

A total of 595 possible questions were submitted, with 343 unique questions identified. Of the questions, 94 were out of scope, 155 answered by existing literature and 10 were combined with others, while 83 were determined to be unanswered in the literature. Stakeholders were surveyed again to prioritise the remaining 83 questions and they were reviewed by the project's Steering Committee (clinicians and patients). At the inperson workshop, the Steering Committee identified 17 research topics as priority areas for respiratory and sleep research in Alberta.

CONCLUSION

A stakeholder-led research prioritisation process identified optimal clinical management/follow-up, equitable access to services, and management of social, psychological and mental health issues related to respiratory/sleep health as priority research areas.