Consensus Development at the NIH: Improving the Program -- Copyright -- Acknowledgments -- Preface -- Contents -- Summary -- 1 Introduction -- CONTEXT OF THIS REPORT -- NIH CONSENSUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- DESCRIPTION OF THIS STUDY -- 2 Recommendations for Program Structure -- PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM -- Scope of Topics as Defined by Program Purpose -- Scope of Inquiry as Defined by Program Purpose -- Program Purpose -- Objectives of Individual Consensus Development Conferences -- ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES -- Location of OMAR within NIH -- OMAR Advisory Council -- PROGRAM EVALUATION -- FINANCIAL SUPPORT -- 3 Recommendations for Program Function -- PLANNING/PREPARATION -- Topic Selection -- Planning Committee Formation -- Drafting Conference Questions -- Speaker Selection -- Consensus Panel Selection and Composition -- IMPLEMENTATION -- Preparation of Speakers, Data Synthesis, and Data Presentation -- Development of Consensus and Group Dynamics -- Initial and Final Consensus Statement Preparation -- References -- Appendixes -- A Background Paper for the Committee to Improve the NIH Consensus Development Program -- Introduction -- Origin of the NIH Consensus Development Program -- The Consensus Development Program -- Review of the Major Components of the Consensus Development Program -- Topic Selection -- Formation of the Planning Committee and Selection of the Chairperson -- Selection of the Specific Conference Questions, The Consensus Panel, and Conference Speakers -- Presentation and Synthesis of Conference Data -- Development of Consensus -- Preparation of Initial and Final Consensus Statements -- Dissemination of Consensus Information -- References -- B NIH Consensus Development Conferences -- C Questions from NIH Consensus Development Conferences (October 1987-September 1989) -- D General Bibliography on Consensus Development.