Research Questions
Focus and Refinement of Topic
In order to focus, refine, and arrive at the key questions addressed by this assessment, the research team held telephone conversations with 11 experts in the field of lumbar spinal stenosis and one patient representative. These individuals were invited to comment on a document prepared by the research team charged with preparing the present evidence report. This research team consisted of five experts in technology assessment. The document comprised a preliminary evidence model (evidence models are discussed below) and written descriptions of the specific issues depicted in this model. Conversations with the experts and the patient representative clarified that the evidence report was to cover primarily lumbar stenosis in adults and that congenital stenosis or stenosis resulting from trauma was beyond the scope of the present evidence report. Upon receipt of the comments of the experts and the patient representative, the research team met to ensure that the evidence model was refined to incorporate the comments of the experts and the patient representative.
Peer Review
Upon completion of a draft report, the document was sent to additional experts in the field of spinal stenosis. The substantive comments were addressed in a document that described the disposition of each comment, and the draft evidence report was accordingly revised.
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