Download PDF
Appl Clin Inform 2019; 10(04): 743-750
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1697595
Special Topic: Visual Analytics in Healthcare
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Visual Evidence: Increasing Usability of Systematic Reviews in Health Systems Guidelines Development

Connor J. Smith
1   Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Rebecca M. Jungbauer
1   Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Annette M. Totten
1   Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding This project was funded under contract no. HHSA 290–2015–00009-I Task Order 1 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The authors of this abstract are responsible for its content. Statements in the abstract do not necessarily represent the official views of or imply endorsement by AHRQ or HHS. This manuscript is based on the authors' oral presentation at the 9th Annual Workshop on Visual Analytics in Healthcare design challenge in San Francisco on November 3, 2018. The work is derived from a prior project funded by AHRQ as noted above, which was published February 28, 2019 on the AHRQ EHCP web site, available at: https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/methods-health-systems-guidelines-development.pdf.[8]
Further Information

Publication History

24 April 2019

02 August 2019

Publication Date:
02 October 2019 (online)

Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Background Integration of evidence from systematic reviews is an essential step in the development of clinical guidelines. The current practice for reporting uses a static structure that does not allow for dynamic investigation. A need exists for an alternate reporting modality to facilitate dynamic visualization of results to match different end-users' queries.

Objectives We developed a dynamic visualization of data from a systematic review using the commercial product Tableau and assessed its potential to permit customized inquiries.

Methods Data were selected and extracted from a previously completed systematic review. The resulting dataset was then used to develop an interactive, web-based report designed for use by a guidelines development committee.

Results A novel example of combining existing reporting standards for systematic review data and modern reporting tools was developed to investigate potential benefits of a dynamic report. Demonstrations of the report to clinicians sitting on previous and future guideline committees received positive feedback for its potential benefit in guidelines development. The report received a runner-up award during the design challenge at the 2018 Workshop on Visual Analytics in Health Care.

Conclusion The use of interactive, accessible data may increase the use of systematic reviews and aid decision makers in developing evidence-based practice changes.

Keywords

data visualization - clinical informatics - clinical practice guidelines - systematic reviews - data access - integration and analysis - evidence-based medicine and nursing - guidelines and protocols - evaluation

Protection of Human and Animal Subjects

Human and/or animal subjects were not included in the project.