Methods & Support

The Project Groups, Methods Group and Management Group work together to help each project through every step of the COS development process. CS-COUSIN provides methodological support for dermatology-specific core outcome set initiatives to ensure high quality across core outcome sets in dermatology. To be followed by the procedures we follow.

• This first stage involves a Project Group developing an initial proposal in conjunction with the Methods Group. Once finalized, the project is then registered at COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials).
• COS proposal form

• During this phase, a full protocol for domain development is prepared by the Project Teams in conjunction with their Methods Group advisor.
• For example; the population, condition, intervention, setting (trial/registry/clinical practice), geographical region and identification of stakeholders are all issues that are considered.
• The protocol is then submitted for peer-reviewed journal publication

• During step 3 outcome domains are identified. Through a modified DELPHI process involving multiple stakeholders, including patients, a consensus is reached about which domains should be part of a Core Outcome Domain Set.
• Once achieved, this document is then submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal
• COS development protocol

The final stage itself has 3 elements:

• Identification of all instruments already being used to measure the domains of interest
• Assessment of the quality of the instruments identified including applying the OMERACT filter relating to truth, discrimination and feasibility of outcome measures
• Agreement (through the modified DELPHI process) of one instrument per domain of interest

Once finalised, the Core Outcome Measurements Set is then submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal