Current status of projects for developing cancer-related clinical practice guidelines in Japan and recommendations for the future

Masafumi Imamura,Masahiko Nishiyama,Arata Takahashi,Midori Mori ,Hiroaki Matsubara ,Akiko Shibata,Toru Mizuguchi,Hiroyuki Konno,Tsunekazu Mizushima,Kenichi Sugihara,Koichi Hirata,Kenichi Hakamada,Mitsukazu Gotoh,Michiaki Unno,Masamichi Mizuma,Kinj Kamiya,Toshiharu Furukawa,Ichiro Takemasa,Tsuguya Fukui,Toshiyoshi Fujiwara

doi:10.1007/s10147-018-1340-1

Abstract

BackgroundThe current status and adoption of cancer-related clinical practice guidelines in Japan has not been elucidated yet. The purpose of this study was to propose roles and suggestions to develop future cancer-related clinical guidelines.MethodsA questionnaire consisting of four domains with a total of 17 questions was developed. We distributed the questionnaire to 28 specific academic organizations in Japan which have developed any cancer-related clinical practice guidelines and which were funded by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.ResultsMost organizations have investigated nationwide dissemination and adoption of clinical practice guidelines. The rate of adoption in clinical practice was estimated at approximately ≥ 70%. However, organizations with smaller budgets reported surveying approximately 60% of the time, whereas the ones with larger budgets reported approximately 100% success in surveying about their guidelines. The presidents of the organizations agreed that a new organization operated directly by the national government was necessary.ConclusionIn Japan, to develop cancer-related clinical practice guidelines, a study of clinical validation is necessary. Sufficient funds must be available to support the project to maintain and revise the guidelines. Furthermore, legal and ethical issues should be solved before establishing any registry system.

Highlights

Many clinical practice guidelines are developed worldwide in various fields including medicine, oncology, and surgery
A search using two key terms, “cancer” and “clinical practice guidelines,” was conducted in the databases of the National Cancer Center Japan, the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Medical Information Network Distribution Service (Minds) in November 2016 to identify academic organizations which were responsible for publishing clinical practice guidelines dealing with “cancer.” We identified 37 guidelines in 28 organizations (Table 1)
All 28 academic organizations responsible for publishing clinical practice guidelines on treating cancers responded to our questionnaire (100% response rate)

Summary

Introduction

Many clinical practice guidelines are developed worldwide in various fields including medicine, oncology, and surgery. We have focused on promoting medical recommendations and clinical evidence in the guidelines. Additional clinical studies are needed to provide more reliable and validated medical evidence. The current status and adoption of cancer-related clinical practice guidelines in Japan has not been elucidated yet. The purpose of this study was to propose roles and suggestions to develop future cancer-related clinical guidelines. We distributed the questionnaire to 28 specific academic organizations in Japan which have developed any cancer-related clinical practice guidelines and which were funded by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. Results Most organizations have investigated nationwide dissemination and adoption of clinical practice guidelines. Conclusion In Japan, to develop cancer-related clinical practice guidelines, a study of clinical validation is necessary. Legal and ethical issues should be solved before establishing any registry system

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