Rapid development of an evidence- and consensus-based guideline for controlling transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools during a public health emergency – A process evaluation

Wabnitz, Katharina; Rueb, Mike; Pfadenhauer, Lisa M.; Strahwald, Brigitte; Rehfuess, Eva A. (2023): Rapid development of an evidence- and consensus-based guideline for controlling transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools during a public health emergency – A process evaluation. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. ISSN 2296-2565

Abstract

Different measures to prevent and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have been implemented in German schools. Decisions regarding such measures should be informed by evidence regarding their effectiveness, and their unintended consequences for health and society. A multi-stakeholder panel was convened to develop an evidence- and consensus-based guideline for school measures, using the novel WHO-INTEGRATE framework. Developing a guideline to inform decision-making outside of the clinical realm during a public health emergency was unprecedented in Germany. This study aims to identify lessons learnt for similar endeavours by addressing the following research question: What were the strengths and weaknesses of the guideline development process as perceived by the different groups involved?

• Doc-Type: Article (LMU)
• Organisational unit (Faculties): 07 Medicine > Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology
• DFG subject classification of scientific disciplines: Life sciences
• DFG: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 491502892