Top 10 research priorities in colorectal cancer: results from the Colorectal Cancer Priority-Setting Partnership

Abstract

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer death in the word. Which aspects of research into CRC should be accorded the highest priority remains unclear, because relevant stakeholders, such as patients, nurses, and physicians, played hardly any part in the development of research projects. The goal in forming the CRC Priority-Setting Partnership (PSP) was to bring all relevant stakeholders together to identify and prioritize unresolved research questions regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of CRC. Methods The CRC PSP worked in cooperation with the British James Lind Alliance. An initial nationwide survey was conducted, and evidence uncertainties were collected, categorized, summarized, and compared with available evidence from the literature. The as-yet unresolved questions were (provisionally) ranked in a second national wide survey, and at a concluding consensus workshop all stakeholders came together to finalize the rankings in a nominal group process and compile a top 10 list. Results In the first survey (34% patients, 51% healthcare professionals, 15% unknown), 1102 submissions were made. After exclusion of duplicates and previously resolved questions, 66 topics were then ranked in the second survey (56% patients, 39% healthcare professionals, 5% unknown). This interim ranking process revealed distinct differences between relatives and healthcare professionals. The final top 10 list compiled at the consensus workshop covers a wide area of research topics. Conclusion All relevant stakeholders in the CRC PSP worked together to identify and prioritize the top 10 evidence uncertainties. The results give researchers and funding bodies the opportunity to address the most patient-relevant research projects. It is the first detailed description of a PSP in Germany, and the first PSP on CRC care worldwide.

Demographic Analysis of Cancer Research Priorities and Treatment Correlations

“…Patient and public partnerships in medical research have gained significant importance, seen as both an ethical imperative and vital for enhancing the quality, safety, value, and sustainability of healthcare systems and research. The absence of patient involvement in biomedical research is recognized as a source of resource wastage [32]. Community engagement is a vital component in the efforts to tackle cancer disparities.…”

How should multiple myeloma research change in a patient-oriented world? Findings and lessons from the pan-Canadian myeloma priority setting partnership

“…The questions produced covered a range of topics that had not yet been fully addressed in the available literature, which emphasizes the key role that patients, caregivers, and clinicians play in ensuring that ongoing research is reflective of the priorities established by this community. A similar colorectal cancer-focused priority setting partnership was carried out in Germany, and parallel conclusions were drawn; patient-centred research is imperative to improving health research, and that collaborative partnership results in a rich “coproduction of knowledge” [ 8 ].…”