Introduction of NECA GRADE center

Evidence-based methodology, experts’ inputs, and decision-making methodologies are required for health technology assessment (HTA), clinical practice guidelines, and policy decision-making. GRADE methodology is a system that determines the quality (certainty) of evidence and strength of recommendation developed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group (hereinafter GRADE Working Group), a research group that specialises in international methodologies.

The GRADE Working Group has proposed a transparent and equitable methodology that allows for determining 1) the quality of evidence based on a comprehensive consideration of multiple factors such as study design limitation, risk of bias, precision, consistency, and directness of the evidence; 2) the strength of recommendation based on resources and costs, as well as patient’s values and preferences. The methodology has been widely applied in determining the quality (certainty) of evidence and the strength of recommendation for clinical practice guidelines, HTA, and the development of recommendations for public health service.

The GRADE Working Group oversees the review process and approval of the establishment of centers/networks to disseminate the GRADE methodology and promote joint research activities. The GRADE center shall be an organisation with proven expertise and competence in the GRADE methodology including systematic review and guideline development. The center must have at least three active members of the GRADE Working Group and play a central role in education/training and supporting researchers as well as affiliated staff to contribute to strengthening the capabilities of the GRADE methodology.

In February 2021, an independent GRADE center of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) was accredited by the GRADE Working Group to be eligible for conducting activities such as GRADE methodology education/training, guideline development, and research participation. NECA was the first organisation in South Korea to gain accreditation.

Key roles

The GRADE center conducts research for the application of the GRADE methodology and education for internal and external researchers to expand the dissemination of the GRADE methodology and strengthen the researcher's capabilities.

- Development of effective activities for the use of GRADE methodology in support and training/education of clinical practice guideline developers and authors of systematic review

- Methodology support and program development for clinical practice guidelines

- Implementation of workshops and training courses on the GRADE methodology

Organisation and members

As of 2022, the Clinical Evidence Research Team, Division of Healthcare Technology Assessment Research, NECA, is managing the overall matters related to the NECA GRADE center, in cooperation with the advisory members from the Steering Committee for Korean Clinical Practice Guidelines at Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

Inquiries regarding the NECA GRADE center

Point of contact: Miyoung Choi, Director of Clinical Evidence Research Team

e-mail : neca@gradeworkinggroup.org

NECA GRADE Center twitter : https://twitter.com/NecaGrade