Korean J Radiol.  2017 Feb;18(1):208-216. 10.3348/kjr.2017.18.1.208.

Methodology for Developing Evidence-Based Clinical Imaging Guidelines: Joint Recommendations by Korean Society of Radiology and National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency

• Choi SJ
• Jeong WK
• Jo AJ
• Choi JA
• Kim MJ
• Lee M
• Jung SE
• Do KH
• Yong HS
• Sheen S
• Choi M
• Baek JH

• KMID: 2468134
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2017.18.1.208

Abstract

This paper is a summary of the methodology including protocol used to develop evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines (CIGs) in Korea, led by the Korean Society of Radiology and the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency. This is the first protocol to reflect the process of developing diagnostic guidelines in Korea. The development protocol is largely divided into the following sections: set-up, process of adaptation, and finalization. The working group is composed of clinical imaging experts, and the developmental committee is composed of multidisciplinary experts to validate the methodology. The Korean CIGs will continue to develop based on this protocol, and these guidelines will act for decision supporting tools for clinicians as well as reduce medical radiation exposure.

Keyword

Evidence-based; Clinical guideline; Diagnostic imaging; Appropriateness; Method

MeSH Terms

*Evidence-Based Practice
Humans
*Practice Guidelines as Topic
Republic of Korea
Societies, Medical

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Adaptation process for developing Korean clinical imaging guidelines.

• 

  Fig. 2 Relative radiation levels in Korean clinical imaging guidelines. CTA = computed tomographic angiography, IVU = intravenous urography, PA = posteroanterior, RRL = relative radiation level, UGIS = upper gastrointestinal series

Reference

1. Korean Medical Guideline Information Center (KoMGI). Korean Medical Guideline Information Center (KoMGI). Web site. Accessed January 7, 2016. http://www.guideline.or.kr/contents/index.php?code=015.

2. Malone J, Guleria R, Craven C, Horton P, Järvinen H, Mayo J, et al. Justification of diagnostic medical exposures: some practical issues. Report of an International Atomic Energy Agency Consultation. Br J Radiol. 2012; 85:523–553.

3. Jeong WK, Baek JH, Jung SE, Do KH, Yong HS, Kim MJ, et al. Imaging Guidelines for Enhancing Justifications for Radiologic Studies. J Korean Med Sci. 2016; 31:Suppl 1. S38–S44.

4. The Royal College of Radiologists. iRefer Making the best use of clinical radiology. Web site. Accessed May 15, 2016. http://www.irefer.org.uk.

5. American College of Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria®. Web site. Accessed May 15, 2016. http://www.acr.org/Quality-Safety/Appropriateness-Criteria.

6. Government of Western Australia. Diagnostic Imaging Pathways-About Imaging: Ionising Radiation In Diagnostic Imaging. Web site. Accessed January 7, 2016. http://www.imagingpathways.health.wa.gov.au/index.php/about-imaging/ionising-radiation.

7. Remedios D, Hierath M, Ashford N, Cavanagh P, Grenier PA, Lloyd CM, et al. European survey on imaging referral guidelines. Insights Imaging. 2014; 5:15–23.

8. American College of Radiology. Best Practices Guidelines On Imaging Clinical Decision Support Systems. Web site. Accessed January 7, 2016. http://www.acr.org/~/media/ACR/Documents/PDF/Economics/Managed%20Care/Best%20Practices%20Guidelines%20for%20Imaging%20Clinical%20Decision%20Support%20Systems1.pdf.

9. Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, The Korea Society of Radiology. CT Examination and Repeat CT Examination Guidelines. Web site. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.hira.or.kr/dummy.do?pgmid=HIRAA020002000000&cmsurl=/cms/inform/01/1343460_27106.html&subject=CT+%EA%B2%80%EC%82%AC+%EB%B0%8F+%EC%9E%AC%EA%B2%80%EC%82%AC+%EA%B0%80%EC%9D%B4%EB%93%9C%EB%9D%BC%EC%9D%B8.

10. Korean Liver Cancer Study Group (KLCSG). National Cancer Center, Korea (NCC). 2014 Korean Liver Cancer Study Group-National Cancer Center Korea practice guideline for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Korean J Radiol. 2015; 16:465–452.

11. Shin JH, Baek JH, Chung J, Ha EJ, Kim JH, Lee YH, et al. Ultrasonography diagnosis and imaging-based management of thyroid nodules: revised Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology consensus statement and recommendations. Korean J Radiol. 2016; 17:370–395.

12. Kim YH, Bae JI, Jeon YS, Kim CW, Jae HJ, Park KB, et al. Korean guidelines for interventional recanalization of lower extremity arteries. Korean J Radiol. 2015; 16:696–722.

13. Kim YJ, Yong HS, Kim SM, Kim JA, Yang DH, Hong YJ, et al. Korean guidelines for the appropriate use of cardiac CT. Korean J Radiol. 2015; 16:251–285.

14. Kim YJ, Yong HS, Kim SM, Kim JA, Yang DH, Hong YJ. Guideline for appropriate use of cardiac CT in heart disease. J Korean Soc Radiol. 2014; 70:93–109.

15. Kim SY, Choi M, Sheen S, Ji SM, Park JJ, Yoo JH, et al. NECA's handbook for clinical practice guideline developer. Web site. Accessed September 30, 2015. http://www.neca.re.kr/center/researcher/book_view.jsp?boardNo=CA&seq=9436&q=626f6172644e6f3d4341.

16. Choi M, Baek JH, Choi SJ, Jo AJ, Choi J, Jung SE, et al. Development of evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines: to supply the evidence for appropriateness of diagnostic imaging studies and radiation exposure levels of patients. Seoul: National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency;2015. In Press.

17. The ADAPTE Collaboration. Guideline Adaptation: A Resource Toolkit. Web site. 2009. Accessed May 15, 2016. http://www.g-i-n.net/documentstore/working-groups-documents/adaptation/adapteresource-toolkit-guideline-adaptation-2-0.pdf.

18. The AGREE next steps consortium. Korean Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II. Web site. Accessed March 15, 2015. http://www.agreetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AGREE_II_Korean.pdf.

19. Bettmann MA, Holmberg O, Del Rosario, Remedios D, Malone J. International collaboration on clinical imaging guidelines: many hands make light work. J Am Coll Radiol. 2015; 12:43–44.