Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Sep 2, 2019
Date Accepted: Nov 26, 2019
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
The use of simulation modeling to inform health system and policy decision-making in colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review protocol
ABSTRACT
Background:
Simulation modeling has frequently been used to assess interventions in complex aspects of healthcare where clinical trials are not feasible, such as colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Simulated models provide estimates of outcomes, unintended consequences, and costs of an intervention; thus, offering an invaluable decision aid for policy-makers and healthcare leaders. However, the contribution that simulation has made to policy and health system decisions is unknown.
Objective:
This systematic review aims to assess if simulation modeling has supported evidence-informed decision-making in CRC screening.
Methods:
A search of the academic and grey literature published between Jan 1, 2008-Mar 1, 2019 will be conducted to identify studies that develop a simulation model focusing on the delivery of CRC screening of average risk individuals. Three independent reviewers will assess each study’s validation process and the extent to which the study contributed evidence towards informed decision-making (both reported and potential). Validation will be assessed based on adherence to the best practice recommendations described by International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research-Society for Medical Decision Making (ISPOR-SMDM). Criteria for potential contribution to decision-making will be defined as outlined in the internationally recognized Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Evidence to Decision framework (GRADE EtD). These criteria outline information that health system and policy decision-makers should consider when making an evidence-informed decision including an intervention’s resource utilization, cost-effectiveness, impact on health equity, and feasibility. Subgroup analysis of articles based on their GRADE EtD criteria will be conducted to identify methods associated with decision support capacity (i.e. participatory, quantitative or mixed-methods).
Results:
We anticipate this systematic review will provide insight into the contribution of simulation modeling methods to inform decision-making in colorectal cancer screening delivery and discuss methods that may be associated with a stronger impact on decision-making.
Conclusions:
Our findings will help guide researchers and healthcare leaders looking to mobilize the potential for simulation modeling to inform evidence-informed decisions in CRC screening delivery. The methods of this study may also be replicated to assess the utility of simulation modeling in other areas of complex healthcare decision-making. Clinical Trial: Registration to PROSPERO no.130823
Citation
