Tuning up the chords of consensus research with the ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD).

The British Journal of Dermatology has introduced a new requirement for authors submitting consensus-based papers to follow the ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD). Consensus methods are commonly used in dermatology for various purposes, but there have been issues with the reporting of these methods, resulting in a lack of detail and transparency. The ACCORD checklist, consisting of 35 items, aims to address these problems by providing a universal reporting guideline applicable to all consensus methods in different health-related fields. The text offers guidance and examples for reporting consensus exercises, emphasizing the importance of clarity, transparency, and integrity in reporting. It highlights key areas that need to be reported, including protocol registration, selection of committee members and panellists, definition of consensus, feedback to panellists, participation incentives, accessibility adaptations, conflicts of interest, and funding sources. By adhering to these guidelines, researchers can ensure a more transparent and rigorous approach to reporting consensus exercises. [Extracted from the article]