Figure 2. Comparative effectiveness research topic selection.

A two-phase approach was used for comparative effectiveness research topic selection. A ‘landscape analysis’ phase spanned approximately 2 months and was the focus of the first two stakeholder meetings. Literature searches, consultations with clinical experts and early roundtable discussions with the stakeholders were used to identify potential high-priority topics in cancer diagnostics. During the next 6 months, a second ‘prioritization phase’ was carried out to rate the relative importance of the top six topics identified by the landscape analysis. Detailed technical briefs were developed for the stakeholders using a standardized evaluation criteria framework (Appendix 1), and ratings were obtained through a web-based survey followed by an in-person stakeholder meeting discussion and rating session.