Initiating an OMERACT Working Group
We are pleased to present a resource that offers you comprehensive insights and tools to facilitate the establishment of an OMERACT Working Group. As you embark on this journey of research and collaboration within the OMERACT framework, we are committed to equipping you with the essential knowledge you need. Should you possess a strong passion for enhancing our understanding of a specific health condition, OMERACT provides an ideal platform to amplify your influence and contribute meaningfully.
OMERACT, a global, volunteer-driven, not for profit organization committed to improving outcomes for patients with autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases. We achieve this by advancing the design and quality of clinical studies.
At the heart of OMERACT's approach lies rigorous methodology and our global Working Groups. Through these channels, we actively contribute to the development of Core Outcome Sets (COS). These sets encompass key elements, including domains and corresponding instruments, essential for accurate clinical trial assessments and regulatory evaluations of novel treatments.
But there's more to the story! OMERACT eLearning Modules. Expand your knowledge further by delving into our range of eLearning modules. These modules provide an in-depth understanding of our methodologies, initiatives, and the impact we're making. Whether you're a researcher, clinician, or patient research partner, these resources offer a gateway to enrich your grasp of OMERACT's mission and collaborations.
By uniting researchers, clinicians, and patient research partners, OMERACT fosters an environment of collaboration that fuels the creation of reliable and valid Core Outcome Sets. Join us in our endeavor to elevate healthcare research, empower patients, and transform the landscape of autoimmune and musculoskeletal disease studies.
Starting an OMERACT working group offers a range of compelling reasons, each contributing to the advancement of research and the field of health interventions. Here are some key motivations for initiating an OMERACT working group:
Addressing Research Gaps: OMERACT working groups aim to fill critical gaps in our understanding of health conditions, particularly in the field of rheumatology and musculoskeletal diseases. By identifying and focusing on specific gaps, you can contribute to the development of more effective and patient-centered interventions.
Collaboration and Multidisciplinary Approach: OMERACT emphasizes collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including researchers, clinicians, patient research partners, and industry representatives. Initiating a working group allows you to engage with experts from various backgrounds, fostering a multidisciplinary approach that leads to comprehensive and well-rounded research outcomes.
Patient Involvement: OMERACT places a strong emphasis on patient research partner involvement in research. Starting a working group provides an opportunity to include the patient research partner perspective from the beginning, ensuring that research questions, outcomes, and interventions are relevant and meaningful to those directly affected by the health condition.
Core Outcome Set Development: OMERACT is known for its contributions to the development of reliable and valid Core Outcome Sets. By starting a working group, you can actively contribute to the creation and validation of Core Outcome Sets that accurately reflect the impact of interventions.
International Exposure and Collaboration: OMERACT is a global initiative with international conferences and a broad network of experts. Starting a working group not only exposes you to a diverse range of perspectives but also provides opportunities for collaboration with patient research partners, researchers and clinicians from around the world.
Advancement of Knowledge: Through rigorous research methodologies and collaborative efforts, OMERACT working groups contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of health interventions. Your contributions can lead to improved understanding, new insights, and evidence-based recommendations.
Professional Development: Participating in an OMERACT working group offers valuable professional development opportunities. You can enhance your skills in research design, methodology, patient research partner engagement, and collaboration, contributing to your growth as a researcher or clinician.
Legacy and Impact: Being part of OMERACT and initiating a working group allows you to leave a lasting impact on the field. Your research and contributions can influence the direction of future studies and leave a positive legacy in the realm of health interventions.
In summary, starting an OMERACT working group is an opportunity to collaborate, contribute to impactful research, and make a difference in the lives of patients with autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases. By addressing research gaps, involving patient research partners, developing Core Outcome Sets, and collaborating with experts, you can play a vital role in advancing the field and improving health interventions.
Starting an OMERACT working group involves identifying a specific health condition, forming a dedicated team, and developing a comprehensive proposal that outlines your research objectives, scope, and methodologies. Gaining OMERACT endorsement ensures that your efforts align with the organization's objectives.
1. Identify Research Gap
Identify a specific research gap or challenge related to outcome measurement within the field of rheumatology and musculoskeletal diseases that you want to address through the working group. Individuals interested in developing a core outcome set or OMERACT Methodology should first check on the OMERACT website (www.omeract.org/working-groups/) to ensure that their topic of interest is not part of a current OMERACT Working Group. If no overlap is identified, continue to step 2.
2. Assemble Core Team
Form a core team of researchers, clinicians, and patient research partners who share a common interest in the identified research gap. This team will drive the development and implementation of the working group. OMERACT provides more details on forming the Working Group Team in Chapter 2 of the OMERACT Handbook.
3. Complete the Online OMERACT Working Group Proposal Form
Create a comprehensive proposal that outlines the membership, scope, objectives, and methodologies of the working group. This proposal should highlight the importance of the research gap, the need for standardized outcome measures, and the potential impact of the working group's efforts.
OMERACT has developed an online form for groups to complete here: https://forms.office.com/r/fPcKG62iFJ
4. Review by OMERACT
Once you submit your online proposal it will be sent to OMERACT for review. OMERACT will assess the proposal's alignment with OMERACT's mission and principles and provide feedback if necessary. If no overlap exists and the Working Group aligns with OMERACT it will be approved and assigned to an OMERCT Senior Methodologist to work with the Working Group to develop the research program and help them complete the steps in the OMERACT Way.
5. Engage Collaborators
Reach out to relevant collaborators, including patient research partners, researchers, clinicians, and industry representatives, to join the working group. Collaboration with a diverse group of experts is essential for robust research outcomes.
6. Formalize Working Group
With endorsement in hand, formally establish the working group. Define roles, responsibilities, and leadership positions within the group. Designate a lead or co-leads to guide the group's activities.
By following these steps, you can effectively initiate an OMERACT working group that contributes to the improvement of outcome measurement in the field of rheumatology and musculoskeletal diseases research.
For inquiries and further assistance, please contact: Shawna Grosskleg, OMERACT Secretariat admin@omeract.org
We look forward to welcoming you to the OMERACT community and witnessing the impact of your research on health outcomes worldwide.