Evidence to Decision frameworks (EtDs) for policy makers

Evidence to Decision frameworks (EtDs) for decision makers 

Background 

Between 2011 and 2015, a project group, including researchers from Cochrane Norway, took part in the DECIDE project, which was co-funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme. The project objective was "to improve the dissemination of evidence-based recommendations by building on the work of the GRADE Working Group to develop and evaluate methods that address the targeted dissemination of guidelines".  This work led to the development of the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks. 

What are Evidence to Decision frameworks (EtD)? 

The purpose of an EtD framework is to help groups of people making healthcare recommendations or decisions move from evidence to decisions. EtD frameworks can: 

  • Inform panel members’ judgements about the pros and cons of each intervention that is considered
  • Ensure the important factors that determine a decision (criteria) are considered
  • Provide a concise summary of the best available research evidence to inform judgements about each criterion
  • Help structure discussion and identify reasons for disagreements
  • Make the basis for decisions transparent to guideline users or those affected by a policy decision 

The EtD framework is easily adaptable for use in making clinical recommendations, coverage-decisions, or health system and public health recommendations and decisions. 

 

Relevant publications involving staff at Cochrane Norway