The ICS Standardisation Steering Committee invites applications from ICS members who wish to contribute to a Working Group with the remit to develop the ICS Standard on NeuroUrology. The aim will be to revise the Neurogenic LUTD component of the ICS Standardisation of Terminology [1] into an up-to-date and evidence-based ICS Standard. The selection of the working group and the process of the development will be supervised by the Standardisation Steering Committee (SSC). Deadline for receipt of applications is Monday 13th of January, 2014. All applications should be submitted electronically to the Chairman of the SSC by emailing to info@ics.org Your attention is drawn to the guidance on producing Standardisation reports available on the ICS website and published in Neurourology & Urodynamics [2].
Applying to chair the working group
If you wish to be considered to Chair the Working Group, applications should take the form of a CV (max 4 pages), with a cover letter (max 600 words) describing how you would be suitable to Chair the Group, the areas you consider should be covered, how stakeholders will included in developing the report, and how the Working Group will interact with other organisations outside the ICS. Please also state whether you wish to be considered as a member of the group if not appointed to chair it.
Applying for membership of the working group
If you wish to be considered as a member of the Working Group, please send a CV (max 4 pages) and a cover letter (max 500 words) describing your potential contributions to the Group.
The working group’s remit
The arguments for developing this document are:
- The assessment of Neurogenic LUTD has evolved, and the terminology needs to reflect the changing field.
- Treatment of Neurogenic LUTD has changed considerably over the last decade.
- A vast number of publications have emerged on Neurogenic LUTD.
- The terminology needs to be updated in accordance with the ICS Standardisation of Terminology of Lower Urinary Tract Function [3]
- Recent International Consultations on Incontinence and other publications have reflected need to bring terminology in line with clinician and patient experiences.
- Discrepancies between stakeholders regarding terminology usage are a hindrance.
Scope
The group will consider:
- Definitions of terms, specifically relevant for Neurogenic LUTD, covering symptoms and signs
- The group will liaise with the working group currently being formed to revise Good Urodynamic Practices [4] to agree terminology on urodynamic observations.
Notes
- The working group will adhere to evidence based medicine principles [2]. The group will undertake full literature review and use published evidence
- The expert opinion will be utilised transparently by consensus where necessary.
- Consideration of all stakeholders will be fundamental; clinicians, patients, industry and regulatory bodies
- The output will be compatible with current applications, for example in symptom assessment tools
- Existing guidelines will be taken into account in the compilation of this report.
- The working group will keep a digital working log of its activities through the ICS Office.
- The chairman and the ICS standardisation Steering Committee will make sure that the composition of the working group is well balanced and that the process of standardization is transparent.
- The working group will monitor the execution of assignments within the assigned timeline.
- The working group will report to the Standardisation Steering Committee on request, and routinely every 6 months.
- The working group will be responsible for production of a first draft of the report within 18 months after permission to start.
- The chairman and working group will be responsible for submission to journals for publication and dissemination.
References
[1] Stohrer M, Goepel M, Kondo A, et al. The Standardization of Terminology in Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction With Suggestions for Diagnostic Procedures. Neurourol Urodyn. 1999: 18:139–158
[2] Rosier PF, de Ridder D, Meijlink J, Webb R, Whitmore K, Drake MJ. Developing evidence-based standards for diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract or pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2012 Jun: 31:621-4
[3] Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, et al. The standardisation of terminology of lower urinary tract function: report from the Standardisation Sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn. 2002: 21:167-78
[4] Schafer W, Abrams P, Liao L, et al. Good urodynamic practices: uroflowmetry, filling cystometry, and pressure-flow studies. Neurourol Urodyn. 2002: 21:261-74