Qualitative evidence synthesis can inform recommendations in NICE clinical guidelines (HTAI 12th Annual Meeting 15-17 June 2015)

The published evidence used to underpin National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guidelines is almost exclusively quantitative. This is understandable as the principal focus is efficacy and safety: the aim is to establish what works. However, clinical practice is arguably also best informed by evidence that explores how and why patients make the decisions they do. Qualitative evidence can help with this. A synthesis of qualitative studies can paint a rich, subtle and extremely useful picture of patient experience and their views, beliefs and priorities.