Table 1 Potential methods for gathering information of importance to clinicians and patients

• Written information

 ◦ Scientific papers reporting clinical and/or patient-reported outcomes of relevance

 ◦ Written information leaflets provided for patients by hospitals and other organisations

 ◦ Websites produced by charities, hospital units, and patient support groups

 ◦ National audit, guidelines, and policy documents

• Information of importance to individuals

 ◦ Delphi questionnaires

 ◦ Nominal group techniques

 ◦ Focus groups

 ◦ Individual in-depth interviews with clinicians and patients

 ◦ Recordings of consultations

 ◦ Individual questionnaires

 ◦ Patient experience resources, including websites (e.g. HealthTalk On Line)