Overview of the new ERS Clinical Practice Guidelines Methodology Network

In this article, we provide an overview of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Methodology Network and outline the opportunities that may arise from participating in this network. This is a new initiative which was created by the ERS in 2021 and aims to support early career members (ECMs) to acquire skills for the development of high-quality, evidence-based guidelines.

The CPG Methodology Network is a group of ERS members with expertise in guidelines development, who have the opportunity to interact throughout the year and extend knowledge via training and exchanges. Each year, up to 12 new members are selected upon application to join the network and get professional training on systematic reviews using the Cochrane Interactive Learning platform, as well as practical experience in the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach, the use of evidence to decision tables and in the development of CPGs. The aim is to help ECMs acquire skills for the development of high-quality, trustworthy and evidence-based guidelines, and to disseminate knowledge on guideline methodology within the ERS community.

After completion of the training, the network members are appointed to an ongoing ERS CPG. Their role is to undertake the full systematic review and GRADEing (except for literature searches) of two PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes) questions under the guidance of one of the ERS in-house methodologists, present the evidence for the above-mentioned PICO questions to the task force panel, and guide them through the recommendation making process. After successful participation in at least two CPGs, the ECMs of the network will assist in overseeing the work of newer members of the network.

Participation in the CPG Methodology Network provides ECMs with the opportunity to network and establish future collaborations, to be eligible for co-authorship of official ERS CPGs, and to gain extensive experience in systematic reviews, the GRADE approach and in the overall development of CPGs.

The first call of the CPG Methodology Network was very successful: 72 applications were received by the 24 January 2022 deadline and 12 candidates were selected. Given the high interest in the first call and the excellent profile of the candidates, ERS is delighted to announce that the programme will be renewed in 2023 to expand the methodology network and disseminate knowledge on guideline methodology within the ERS community. The second call opened in November with an application deadline of 15 January 2023. Further information about the CPG Methodology Network is available on the ERS website (https://www.ersnet.org/science-and-research/ers-clinical-practice-guidelines-methodology-network/).