Grant: Knowledge Translation Supplement

Brief Description of Activity Our objective is to develop and implement a new CONSORT (Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials- http://www.consort-statement.org/) extension that will provide guidance for reporting of health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes. The aims of this initiative are firstly to develop consensus on HRQL reporting standards, and secondly, to facilitate their consistent implementation. The ultimate goal of these activities is to improve the quality and reporting of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in clinical trials in order to provide robust evidence that informs patient choice, aids clinical decision making and informs health policy. The Medical Research Council (MRC)-UK has recently provided partial funding in support of our international collaborative effort designed to develop and ultimately publish a consensus on a new CONSORT extension addressing the reporting of HRQL outcomes. This will consist of iterative surveys of expert stakeholders (Delphi process) and subsequent face to face meeting (to take place in 2011) involving a diverse group of stakeholders from: the MRC-Hubs for Trials Methodology Research (HTMR), International Society for Quality of Life Research, members of the existing CONSORT group and journal editors from a variety of general medical and specialty-focussed journals from a number of countries. The current application requests funding to supplement North American attendance at this face-to-face meeting and to provide support for critical follow-up activities relating to knowledge translation (KT). Specific post-meeting KT activities include: seeking and dealing with feedback and criticism of the CONSORT extension, encouraging guideline endorsement, supporting adherence to the guideline, and developing educational resources and related webpage content.