Background
Variation in outcome collection and reporting is a serious hindrance to progress in our specialty, over eighty journals have come together to support the development, dissemination, and implementation of core outcome sets.
Objective
This study systematically reviewed and characterised registered, progressing, or completed core outcome sets relevant to women's and newborn health.
Search strategy
Systematic search using the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trial initiative and the Core Outcomes in Women's and Newborn Health initiative databases.
Selection criteria
Registry entries, protocols, systematic reviews, and core outcome sets.
Data collection and analysis
Descriptive statistics to describe characteristics and results.
Results
There were 46 core outcome sets in maternal and newborn health, with the majority registered in 2015 (22; 48%) or 2016 (16; 35%). Benign gynaecology (5; 11%) and newborn health (3; 9%) is currently under-represented. Twenty-four (52%) core outcome sets were funded by international (1; 2%), national (18; 39%), and regional (4; 9%) bodies. Seven protocols were published. Twenty systematic reviews characterised the inconsistency in outcome reporting across a broad range of relevant healthcare conditions. Four core outcome sets were completed: reconstructive breast surgery (11 outcomes), preterm birth (13 outcomes), epilepsy in pregnancy (29 outcomes), and maternity care (48 outcomes). The quantitative, qualitative, and consensus methods used to develop core outcome sets have varied considerably.
Conclusions
Core outcome sets are currently being developed across women's and newborn health, although coverage of topics is variable. Development of further infrastructure to develop, disseminate, and implement core outcome sets is urgently required.
This study systematically reviewed and characterised registered, progressing, or completed core outcome sets relevant to women's and newborn health.
ContributorsJames M. N. Duffy
Rachel Rolph
Chris Gale
Martin Hirsch
Khalid S. Khan
Sue Ziebland
Richard J. McManus.
The International Collaboration to Harmonise Outcomes in Pre-eclampsia (iHOPE)
Disease Category: Pregnancy & childbirth, Gynaecology, Neonatal care
Disease Name: N/A
Age Range: 16 - 110
Sex: Female
Nature of Intervention: N/A
- Researchers
- Systematic review of core outcome sets
- Systematic review