Evaluation of the red blood cell and plasma transfusion guidelines

Objectives. To determine physicians' preferred content and format for the G uidelines for Red Blood Cell and Plasma Transfusion for Adults and Children before development in order to guide the development process. To obtain ph ysicians' recommendations about the Guidelines' content, format, disseminat ion and future directions after development to guide future work on the Gui delines. Design. Pre-post Guidelines qualitative design using 20 focus groups (nine pre and 11 post). Study participants. One-hundred and se-yen physicians (5-11 per group) who used at least 1 unit of blood over the past 6 months; with a minimum of 1 y ear in practice and not retired. A total of 24 physicians attended both pre and post focus groups In general, specialties of participants included: ge neral practice, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology and hematology/o ncology. Years of practice ranged from 1 to 35 years (mean = 7 years). Main outcome measures. Pre Guidelines focus groups made recommendations on the content and format of the Guidelines, post Guidelines focus groups made recommendations on the same areas along with dissemination and future dire ctions. Results. Three main components of the Guidelines were evaluated: content, f ormat and dissemination. The content, which followed as much as possible th at recommended by pre Guidelines focus groups, was deemed appropriate by po st Guidelines focus groups, with minor Saps noted (e.g. information on alte rnatives to blood products). The format addressed many of the concerns rais ed by pre Guidelines focus groups; however, the post Guidelines focus group s were concerned about the lack of visual aids and categorization of inform ation. The dissemination strategy was successful at diffusing the Guideline s, with some concerns expressed about reaching specific physician target gr oups. Conclusion. The pre-post focus group method was useful in conducting an eva luation of the Guidelines and this method which examined content, format an d dissemination could contribute to evaluations of other guidelines.