Engaging people and families in guideline development

RNAO believes that people with lived experience and their families are a key part of the interprofessional representation needed for quality guideline development. 

We invite people with lived experience to participate in the guideline development process, including: individuals with personal experience of a disease, condition or service; their caregivers or family members; and advocates of a community. 

For example, a person who experiences a chronic pain condition may be particularly helpful in developing a guideline on pain management and assessment.

RNAO always convenes an expert panel when developing a new BPG or revising an existing BPG. Led by two co-chairs, the panel supports RNAO’s BPG development team by contributing valuable expertise. 

For example, people with lived experience provide crucial insight into what matters most for people impacted by the recommendations included in the guideline.

External reviewers are essential players in the guideline development process, as they provide us with feedback on draft BPGs. Reviewers can be nurses, other health professionals, people with lived experience, caregivers or family members, knowledgeable administrators, or funders of health-care services.

• significant and recent personal experience of a disease, condition or service related to the BPG topic
• a strong comfort level in speaking and/or providing written feedback about their experiences
• the ability to respectfully listen to different perspectives with an open mind
• demonstrated experience working in collaborative settings

Expert panel members and external reviewers:

• contribute insight, knowledge, expertise and perspectives based on lived experiences
• help us make sure that we are drawing on multiple perspectives to inform high-quality guideline development
• support improvements in health-care policy and practice

Contributors will be credited in the published BPG.

RNAO aims to create a safe space where those with lived experience can share candidly and openly during the guideline development process. 

Everyone involved with the guideline development process will be expected to uphold respect for diversity and acknowledge different perspectives. 

Any discussions during meetings are to remain confidential. Both expert panel members and external reviewers are voluntary positions.

The time commitments and responsibilities of being an expert panel member include:  

• virtually attending approximately nine planning meetings throughout the full BPG development process
• reading preparatory materials sent by RNAO’s BPG team
• participating in the development of the purpose, scope and recommendation questions
• reviewing and providing feedback on documents and tools throughout the development process
• finalizing recommendations through a consensus-building process  
• identifying and establishing connections to other reviewers who will review the draft BPG at a later stage
• promoting awareness of the published BPG

The responsibilities of external reviewers include:  

• spending three to four hours reviewing the draft guideline over a two-to-three-week time period
• providing feedback and suggestions through an online questionnaire

If you would like to be considered for the role of expert panel member, please fill out our expert panel form.

If you would like to be considered for the role of external reviewer, please fill out our external reviewer form.

We thank you for your interest in our program and will contact you based on your expression of interest.  

For more information or questions related to person and family engagement, please contact us.