Download PDF
Semin Reprod Med 2021; 39(03/04): 161-166
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1733916
Review Article

A Comprehensive PCOS Research and Guideline Translation Program to Improve Practice

Vijayanand A. Ramasamy 
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
,
Rhonda M. Garad 
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
,
Jacqueline A. Boyle 
1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and complex endocrinopathy affecting reproductive-age women with a reported prevalence of 8 to 13%. To address the knowledge, practice, consumer satisfaction, and research gaps, an international research collaboration was formed to develop the first “International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (2018).” This article describes an effective research translation program to disseminate the guideline internationally to women and health providers. To date, this had led to 75,197 views and almost 36,000 downloads of the PCOS guideline, and 43,000 views and 10,600 downloads of a suite of PCOS resources. AskPCOS app, the first freely accessible, evidence-based PCOS app, has 9,910 users (between 400 and 800 users per month), 23,447 sessions, and 87,801 screen viewings. Fifty-four percent of returning users are from across 137 countries, with the most users in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and India. Extensive global uptake of the PCOS guideline and compendium of resources was augmented by extensive formative consumer and health professional consultation, end-user engagement across the evidence-creation spectrum, co-design, and quality improvement.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome - research translation - women's health - guideline


Publication History

Article published online:
16 September 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

  • References

  • 1 Boyle JA, Cunningham J, O'Dea K, Dunbar T, Norman RJ. Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in a sample of Indigenous women in Darwin, Australia. Med J Aust 2012; 196 (01) 62-66
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 March WA, Moore VM, Willson KJ, Phillips DI, Norman RJ, Davies MJ. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in a community sample assessed under contrasting diagnostic criteria. Hum Reprod 2010; 25 (02) 544-551
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Yildiz BO, Bozdag G, Yapici Z, Esinler I, Yarali H. Prevalence, phenotype and cardiometabolic risk of polycystic ovary syndrome under different diagnostic criteria. Hum Reprod 2012; 27 (10) 3067-3073
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Norman RJ, Dewailly D, Legro RS, Hickey TE. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Lancet 2007; 370 (9588): 685-697
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Teede H, Deeks A, Moran L. Polycystic ovary syndrome: a complex condition with psychological, reproductive and metabolic manifestations that impacts on health across the lifespan. BMC Med 2010; 8 (01) 41
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Dokras A, Saini S, Gibson-Helm M, Schulkin J, Cooney L, Teede H. Gaps in knowledge among physicians regarding diagnostic criteria and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril 2017; 107 (06) 1380-1386.e1
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Azziz R, Kintziger K, Li R. et al. Recommendations for epidemiologic and phenotypic research in polycystic ovary syndrome: an androgen excess and PCOS society resource. Hum Reprod 2019; 34 (11) 2254-2265
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Cooney LG, Lee I, Sammel MD, Dokras A. High prevalence of moderate and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod 2017; 32 (05) 1075-1091
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Teede HJ, Misso ML, Deeks AA. et al; Guideline Development Groups. Assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome: summary of an evidence-based guideline. Med J Aust 2011; 195 (06) S65-S112
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Gibson-Helm M, Teede H, Dunaif A, Dokras A. Delayed diagnosis and a lack of information associated with dissatisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102 (02) 604-612
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Teede HJ, Misso ML, Costello MF. et al; International PCOS Network. Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod 2018; 33 (09) 1602-1618
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Greenhalgh T, Wieringa S. Is it time to drop the ‘knowledge translation’ metaphor? A critical literature review. J R Soc Med 2011; 104 (12) 501-509
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Westfall JM, Mold J, Fagnan L. Practice-based research–“Blue Highways” on the NIH roadmap. JAMA 2007; 297 (04) 403-406
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 WHO. Bridging the “Know–Do” Gap: Meeting on Knowledge Translation in Global Health October 10–12, 2005. 2006 . Accessed August 22, 2011 at: https://www.measureevaluation.org/resources/training/capacity-building-resources/high-impact-research-training-curricula/bridging-the-know-do-gap.pdf
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Teede HJ, Misso ML, Boyle JA. et al; International PCOS Network. Translation and implementation of the Australian-led PCOS guideline: clinical summary and translation resources from the International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Med J Aust 2018; 209 (S7): S3-S8
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Xie J, Burstein F, Garad R, Teede HJ, Boyle JA. Personalized Mobile Tool AskPCOS Delivering Evidence-Based Quality Information about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Thieme Medical Publishers. 2018: 066-072
    Google Scholar