Policy Committee Meeting 9_28_2023

General Document Development Process The following outlines the general process for development of a document (such as systematic review, manuscript, or Editorial) by an AUGS Committee, Network or Board Member. The Executive Director should be consulted if a group is proposing changes to this development process. 1. Topic Nomination – All topic nominations must be approved by the AUGS Board of Directors prior to any work being started on a document. 2. Writing Group Identification – Once a topic and document type is approved for development a writing group and chair are identified. The writing group can be an internal group to the committee, an external group to the committee or a hybrid approach. All writing group members will disclose any conflicts as outline by the COI Policy. Appendix A: Writing Group Expectations and Responsibilities; Appendix B: Contributor Agreement 3. Document Writing – A designated chair of the writing group is expected to work with staff to create a timeline for development, make assignments for writing, collate the assigned sections to ensure a cohesive writing style is followed, check for appropriate grammar usage and that citations are complete. Expectations of authorship will be reviewed by the Writing Group Chair at the start of the document writing process and will follow those guidelines established by the peer reviewed journal. Any questions concerning authorship decisions will be managed by the Writing Group Chair. 4. Peer Review – The draft document is reviewed by a minimum of 3 individuals who are not on the writing group, but are members of the AUGS Committee. This is intended to be an internal peer review process separate from the peer review process which will occur at the Journal level. Appendix C: Peer Review Expectations/Checklist 5. Approval and Publication – Once the document is approved by its originating Committee, Network or Registry it should be submitted to the Terminology Committee to ensure consistency of terminology, use of good grammar, reliance on appropriate evidence to support statements, etc. Board approval is required prior to submission for publication. 6. Dissemination – All documents are published in the journal, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and should be submitted via the standard manuscript submission process. AUGS staff will assist with the submission of these documents. Each document will also undergo the peer review process as established by the Journal. Additional distribution may be considered for the urogynecology community and the general public through webinars, patient fact sheets, quality measures and educational products.