It was based on several methodological principles including: consultation, transparency, triangulation, among others.
Institutions should take responsibility for development and ongoing processes for evaluation, methodological development, community consultation and participation, ethical approval, professional development, and dissemination of research findings [ 25].
During development of the HSMR, CIHI conducted stakeholder consultations, methodological investigations, pilot-testing and literature reviews regarding whether or not to include PC patients in HSMR calculations.
The qualitative data was audiotaped and notes were extracted from these tapes by BL after consultation and methodological consensus with CS. (Different aspects of this and other data have been reported in Lloyd and Stirling [ 34]).
As explained in the methodological section, fees regarding consultations lasting more than 20 minutes (long consultations) and interpreter are mutually exclusive, but the GP gets a higher economical incentive when using an interpreter compared to using long time.
Two reviewers (KB, MM) independently abstracted data and methodological features, resolving disagreements in consultation with a third reviewer.
Standardised data extraction forms were prepared through consultation with a methodological expert.
This first iteration of the hierarchy was slightly modified after consultation with other methodological experts within the wider Working Party.
In summary, this systematic review furthers understanding of both the role of VSR in understanding the consultation and the methodological strengths and weaknesses of this approach.
Additional biases specific to individual study designs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with relevant methodological experts and noted in a supplementary risk of bias table.
