Prioritizing Dermatoses: Rationally Selecting Guideline Topics

In 2014, a study involving 118 Dutch dermatologists (29% response rate) identified and prioritized dermatological topics for clinical practice guideline development. The top five priorities were melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. The selection criteria rated by dermatologists emphasized reducing unwanted variation in practice over mortality and healthcare costs. The study found that professional organizations had already developed guidelines for the top 20 topics and that the criteria used by Dutch dermatologists for topic selection aligned with international standards. The results support the need for a standardized approach in guideline development to minimize bias and ensure relevant topic selection.