Better way: initial acceptability testing of using artificial intelligence tools to accelerate development of trauma clinical guidance

Abstract Introduction Representatives of the trauma community have voiced a need for a new approach to developing clinical guidance. In this study, we test the initial acceptability of a proposed 12-step approach that aims to reduce the current clinical guidance timeline from more than 24 months to 24 weeks. Methods Investigators hypothesized that artificial intelligence (AI) tools could be leveraged to improve and make the process of clinical guidance development more efficient, facilitating AI initial output that could later be reviewed by subject matter experts (SMEs). Ensuring ethical standards and a collaborative design. Following the agile methodology, emphasizing continuous delivery and improvement, and the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) framework, the investigators drafted a 12-step approach to clinical guidance development in 24 weeks. The process starts with the selection of a clinical topic and culminates in a bedside-ready clinical decision tree. Results The 2025 Design for Implementation: The Future of Trauma Research & Clinical Guidance conference participants were invited to reflect on this new 12-step approach during two breakout sessions. Participants included a broad range of trauma providers, methodologists, patient representatives, technology, and marketing experts. Their recommendations highlighted: 1) multidisciplinary involvement, 2) need for resource-stratified recommendations, and 3) user-friendly features (offline and multilingual access). On a post conference survey (n=56), 64% were confident in AI accelerating the current development process. Conclusions The current landscape of clinical guidance offers significant opportunities for improvement. Key areas for enhancement include promoting collaboration across multiple disciplines and organizations, developing recommendations that consider resource variations, and utilizing new technologies, such as AI, to expedite the development process. This is crucial because ongoing delays lead to practices lagging behind current evidence. Further research is needed to rigorously test and refine how responsible use of AI can be integrated into expediting evidence integration into clinical guidance. Key Messages What is already known on this topic Current clinical guidance typically takes 1-2 years to develop. Moreover, clinical guidance may not be published until a year or more after its completion, long after some recommendations become outdated, contributing to lagged evidence-informed practice. What this study adds This study shares and tests the initial acceptability of a novel approach that aims to reduce the current clinical guidance timeline from 24 months to 24 weeks. It leverages existing artificial intelligence tools but with the critical input of subject matter experts (SMEs), ensuring ethical standards and collaborative design. SMEs shed light on critical steps and key areas that future clinical guidance needs to consider. How this study might affect research, practice or policy The current landscape of clinical guidance offers significant opportunities for improvement. Key areas for enhancement include promoting collaboration across multiple disciplines and organizations, developing recommendations that consider resource variations, and utilizing new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to expedite the development process.