Table 1 Document and article characteristics

Boltin, Lambregts, Jones, Siterman, Bonovas, Cornberg, Khannoussi, Doherty (2020)

Asia

Review article (Ref [18])

To establish the steps necessary to initiate guideline development processes

Key themes presented:

• Identifying the unmet need

• Defining the scope

• Building working groups

• Managing conflicts of interest

• How to search and appraise the evidence

• Guideline implementation

• Writing guidelines

Eccles, Grimshaw, Shekelle, Schunemann, Woolfe (2012)

United States of America

Methodology article (Ref [33])

To determine the processes by which guideline development groups function and the important procedural issue of managing conflicts of interest during guideline development

Key findings:

• Prioritising topics for guideline development

• Consumer involvement

• Guidelines group processes

• Managing conflicts of interest

Garbi (2021)

United Kingdom

Review article (Ref [34])

To describe the NICE clinical guidelines development principles and processes

To provide an informed perspective on the recommendations made

Key principles identified:

• Guideline committees should include a wide representation of stakeholders

• Scoping the guideline

• Sourcing clinical and economic evidence to support CPG development

• The power of consultation

• Publication and implementation

Hill, Bullock, Alderson (2011)

United Kingdom

Original article (Ref [35])

To establish the processes used to produce CPGs based on best available evidence

Key principles of the guideline development process:

• Selection of the focused topic

• Recruitment of guidelines development group

• Guideline development

• Consultation

• Preparation for implementation

• Validation and implementation

Kredo, Bernhardsson, Machingaidze, Young, Louw, Ochodo and Karen (2016)

South Africa

Research article (Ref [23])

To provide a guide that describes the standards, methods and systems reported in current CPG methodologies and implementation literature

• CPG activities are evolving processes

• The standards, methods and systems in use by those involved with CPGs provide evidence of international guideline activity

• There is a need to build on the knowledge of current activities in CPG development to optimise end-user engagement and impact global health outcomes

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (2009)

Australia

Document (Ref [10])

This document puts forward a method for developing such guidelines in Australia

Key principles presented:

• Focus on outcomes

• Guidelines should be based on the best available evidence (taking the best available evidence and turning it into a clinically useful recommendation)

• CPG development depends on the judgment, experience and good sense of the working party

• The process of guideline development should be multidisciplinary

• Guidelines should be flexible and adaptable to varying local conditions (also including evidence relevant to different target populations, geographic and clinical settings, and make provision for the different values and preferences of patients

• Guidelines should be developed with resource constraints in mind

• Consideration for end-users is crucial

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (last updated 2020)

United Kingdom

Document (Ref [9])

To provide an explanation for the processes and methods NICE uses for developing, maintaining and updating NICE guidelines

Key principles outlined:

• Guidelines are based on the best available evidence of what works, and what it costs

• Guidelines are developed by independent and unbiased committees of experts

• Guidelines committees should include at least 2 lay members (people with personal experience of using health or care services, including carers, or from a community affected by the guideline)

• Regular consultation allows organisations and individuals to comment on final recommendations

• Once published, all guidelines should be regularly checked and updated in light of new evidence or intelligence

• Guidelines committee should ensure that processes, methods and policies remain up-to-date

Quaseem, Forland, Macbeth, Ollenschlager, Phillips, Van de Wees (2012)

United Kingdom

Document (Ref [36])

To promote discussion and consensus on a set of international standards for guideline development

Considerations for high-quality guideline development:

• Composition of the guideline development group

• Decision-making process

• Conflicts of interest

• Scope of the guideline

• Peer review and stakeholder consultation

Schünemann, H., Brożek, J., Guyatt, G., & Oxman, A (2013)

Canada

Document (Ref [4])

To develop a common, sensible approach to grading the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations based on the approach proposed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group

Key processes highlighted:

• Processes are interrelated and not necessarily sequential. The panel works collaboratively, informed through consumer and stakeholder involvement

• Considerations for the organization, planning and training encompass the entire guideline development process, and steps such as documenting the methodology used and decisions made, as well as considering conflict-of-interest occur throughout

Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) (2015)

Edinburgh, Scotland

Document (Ref [11])

To provide a reference tool that may be used by guideline development groups to improve the quality of health care for patients by reducing variation in practice and outcome

Key principles:

• Composition of the guideline development group

• Selection of guideline topics

• Conducting a systematic literature review

• Assessing the quality of evidence

• Making recommendations

• Consultation and peer review

• Presentation and publication

• Implementation

• Involving consumers and their representatives

The World Health Organization (2012)

Switzerland

Document (Ref [8])

To provide a clear map for the process of guideline development, that guidelines have credibility and meet WHO’s criteria for content, methods and presentation

Key concepts presented:

• Defining the guideline scope

• The importance of clear guideline processes

• Defining key stakeholders and working with external partners

• The value of peer review

• Dissemination and evaluation of clinical guidelines