In designing the study questions, the EPC consulted several Key Informants who represent the end-users of research. The EPC sought the Key Informant input on the priority areas for research and synthesis. Key Informants are not involved in the analysis of the evidence or the writing of the report. Therefore, in the end, study questions, design, methodological approaches, and/or conclusions do not necessarily represent the views of individual Key Informants.

Key Informants must disclose any financial conflicts of interest greater than $5,000 and any other relevant business or professional conflicts of interest. Because of their role as end-users, individuals with potential conflicts may be retained. The TOO and the EPC work to balance, manage, or mitigate any conflicts of interest.

The list of Key Informants who provided input to this report follows. (One Key Informant declined to be acknowledged in our report.)

• Sharon Dudley-Brown, Ph.D.
  Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
  Johns Hopkins Medicine
  Baltimore, MD
• James E. Duncan, M.D., FACS, FASCRS
  Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery
  VA Medical Center
  Washington, DC
• Nick Fitterman, M.D., MACP., SFHM^*
  ACP Clinical Guidelines Committee
  Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
  Huntington Hospital, Northwell Health
  Huntington, NY
• Samuel J. Galgano, M.D.^*
  Department of Radiology
  University of Alabama at Birmingham
  Birmingham, AL
• Debra A. Gervais, M.D.
  Department of Radiology
  Massachusetts General Hospital
  Boston, MA
• Jennifer S. Lin, M.D., M.C.R., FACP^*
  ACP Clinical Guidelines Committee
  Kaiser Permanente EPC
  Portland, OR
• Karlene Souto (Patient Representative)
  Seekonk, RI
• Neil Stollman M.D., FACP, AGAF, FACG.^*
  Division of Gastroenterology
  University of California San Francisco
  Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
  San Francisco, CA
• Marion F. Winkler, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N., C.N.S.C.^*
  Department of Surgery
  Alpert Medical School of Brown University
  Department of Surgery/Nutrition Support Service
  Rhode Island Hospital
  Providence, RI

Footnotes

*

Provided input on Draft Report