VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Topic Nomination Form

Nominating a topic for the VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program 

Thank you for your interest in the VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program (ESP). The ESP was 

established in 2007 to make high quality evidence analysis available to clinicians, managers and 

policymakers as they work to improve the health and healthcare of Veterans. 

The ESP can accommodate ~12 review topics per fiscal year. Because of the limited resources 

available, review topics are selected when we can effectively demonstrate that an evidence synthesis 

will assist VHA leadership in addressing important clinical practice and/or policy issues. As we 

consider your topic, it would help us to better understand how your topic relates to National VHA 

policy and the mechanism in place to implement the review findings; e.g., guidelines committee, field 

advisory committee, formulary or other decision-making structure. Thus, identifying an “operational 

partner” (decision-making body) is an important part of the process to insure implementation. 

Operational partners are consulted to determine the scope of the review, identify technical experts to 

inform key question development and peer reviewers to review the draft report; they also provide 

consultation on dissemination activities once the report is completed. 

Nominations are accepted electronically using the online Topic Submission Form. The form may also 

be downloaded and emailed to nicole.floyd@va.gov. 

Once received, the ESP Coordinating Center will contact you to inform you of the status of your 

request. If your nomination is selected as a potential ESP project, the Coordinating Center will work 

with you to refine the scope of the proposed review, develop a set of preliminary key questions, and 

determine a timeline for the report. 

If you have questions about nominating a topic, please contact the ESP Coordinating Center. We will 

be happy to walk you through the process. 

Thank you for participating in the program!

1. Nomination Summary – Briefly describe your specific research question or set of

related questions that the ESP should consider.

PLEASE SPELL OUT ALL ACRONYMS

Examples:

 In adults with PTSD, are mind-body complementary and alternative medicine therapies

(e.g., acupuncture, yoga, meditation) more efficacious than control for PTSD symptoms 

and health-related quality of life?

 What are the new or improved suicide prevention strategies (e.g. hotlines, outreach

programs, peer counseling, treatment coordination programs, and new counseling 

approaches) that show promise for Veterans? 

 What is the effectiveness of family-involved interventions compared to traditional

individually-oriented interventions on adult patient outcomes? 

 What are the effectiveness and harms of delirium prevention strategies in acute inpatients?

Do these results vary by medical unit, age, gender or co-morbid conditions? 

rev 1/16/2014 Page 1 of 5 
VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Topic Nomination Form

Nomination Summary continued... 

2. Briefly describe the significance of your research question as it applies to

National VHA policy or clinical decision making.

3. Does your research question include a treatment or intervention?

No

Yes If yes, describe all of the treatment(s) or intervention(s) of interest. 

rev 1/16/2014 Page 2 of 5 
VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Topic Nomination Form

4. Does your question include a comparison of different healthcare approaches?

No

Yes If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions 

you would like to see compared. 

Examples:

 Intense treatment of in-patient hyperglycemia compared with usual care

 Calcium versus biphosphonates for the prevention of vertebral fractures

 Core needle biopsy versus open surgical biopsy for diagnosing breast lesions

 Antireflux medication versus diet and exercise for the control of acid reflux symptoms

5. Describe the outcome(s) of interest for your research question. (For example,

mortality, hospitalizations, and/or complications, etc.) Please include all outcomes of

interest as this will help us in designing the most appropriate search strategy for your

request.

6. Describe how the proposed evidence synthesis will be used and implemented.

rev 1/16/2014 Page 3 of 5 
VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Topic Nomination Form

Specifically:

• Will the review findings be used to develop or refine clinical guidelines or performance

measures, develop research priorities, curriculum development or program 

implementation/prioritization? 

• Is there an upcoming meeting or conference in which the findings of the review would

beshared? 

7. What is the timeframe in which the draft report would need to be completed?

Please include any dates of significance, such as upcoming meetings in which the review

findings would be shared.

 Note: most reviews average a nine-month timeframe.

8. Please indicate the VHA Office and/or Committee requesting this evidence

synthesis. Briefly describe the charge of the Office or Committee.

8a. If you are making a nomination on behalf of an Office or Committee, who should be 

the primary point(s) of contact going forward? 

9. Please provide your name and contact information:

First Name:

Last Name:

Title:

rev 1/16/2014 Page 4 of 5 
VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Topic Nomination Form

VHA Office: 

E-mail address: 

Phone number: 

10. How did you hear about the Evidence-based Synthesis Program (ESP)?

If you have any questions about the ESP or need assistance in nominating your 

topic, please contact: 

Nicole Floyd, Program Manager

Evidence-based Synthesis Program Coordinating Center 

Portland VA Medical Center

3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D 71 

Portland, OR 97239 

nicole.floyd@va.gov 

rev 1/16/2014 Page 5 of 5