Glossary

Measures the probability of an event or outcome occurring (e.g. an adverse reaction to the drug being tested) in the group of people under study. Studies that compare two or more groups of patients may report results in terms of the Absolute Risk Reduction.

The ARR is the difference in the risk of an event occurring between two groups of patients in a study - for example if 6% of patients die after receiving a new experimental drug and 10% of patients die after having the old drug treatment then the ARR is 10% - 6% = 4%. Thus by using the new drug instead of the old drug 4% of patients can be prevented from dying. Here the ARR measures the risk reduction associated with a new treatment. See also Absolute risk.

Hospital-based health services which are provided on an in-patient, day case or out-patient basis.

A trust is an NHS organisation responsible for providing a group of healthcare services. An acute trust provides hospital services (but not mental health hospital services which are provided by a mental health trust).

Healthcare professionals, other than doctors and nurses, directly involved in the provision of healthcare. Includes several groups such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, etc. (Formerly known as professions allied to medicine or PAMs.)

The final stage of the technology appraisal process, during which the manufacturers and organisations representing patients and carers and healthcare professionals (consultees) can appeal against the final guidance (final appraisal determination) before it is issued to the NHS. The appeals period is 15 working days.

Appeals process is the final part of the NICE appraisal process to ensure that the final guidance is robust, where organisations representing patients and carers, healthcare professionals and manufacturers can appeal against final advice given by the independent advisory committee on a specific medicine or treatment.

The extent to which the results of a study or review can be applied to the target population for a clinical guideline.

An independent committee that develops NICE's guidance about using drugs or treatments in the NHS (called technology appraisal guidance). The Committee usually meets twice to discuss each drug or treatment, or group of similar drugs or treatments. The first time, the Committee produces the draft guidance (called the appraisal consultation document), based on the research findings and discussion with experts. The second time, the Committee revises the guidance after the consultation with manufacturers, healthcare professionals and patient groups, to produce a document called the final appraisal determination. The Appraisal Committee is made up of healthcare professionals and NHS managers, researchers, patients and carers, and people who work for drug companies and medical equipment manufacturers. Committee members are appointed for 3 years.

The Committee's membership is split into three branches, each with a chair and vice-chair. Each branch considers its own list of technologies and ongoing topics are not moved between the branches.

The Appraisal Committee's draft guidance about using a drug (or group of similar drugs) or treatment in the NHS (a technology appraisal). The manufacturer and organisations registered as consultees and commentators can comment on the draft guidance during a consultation period that lasts 4 weeks. The draft guidance is also posted on our website, so that anyone can read it.

Formal assessment of the quality of research evidence and its relevance to the clinical question or guideline under consideration, according to predetermined criteria.

See Absolute Risk Reduction.

This term relates to: Technology appraisals

An independent group of researchers commissioned by NICE to review the evidence on a group of treatments. The assessment group includes researchers who assess the quality of studies on the treatments, and health economists who look at whether the treatments are good value for money. The Appraisal Committee bases its discussions on the assessment report produced by the assessment group.

This term relates to: Technology appraisals

A review of the evidence about how well a group of similar treatments work, and whether they offer value for money. The assessment report forms the basis of the Appraisal Committee's discussions. The assessment report is written by an assessment group. Assessment reports are produced for treatments being assessed using the multiple technology appraisal process, in which several similar drugs are assessed together. Organisations registered as consultees and commentators can comment on the report.

A process involving the examination or review of practices, processes or performance in a systematic way to establish the extent to which they meet predetermined criteria. The procedure includes identifying problems, developing solutions, making changes to practice, then reviewing the whole operation or service again. Audit may be carried out on a specific service (e.g. stop smoking services); be a formal review of an organisation's or individual's accounts; or, an examination of their compliance with laws, regulations or policies; or the terms of an award.

A subcommittee of NICE's board that keeps a check on NICE's finances and other aspects of the way the organisation is run.