Critiquing Clinical Practice Guidelines

Guidelines make explicit recommendations and are based upon some evidence. Evaluation includes appraisal of the following items (Hanson, Hoss, & Wesorick, 2008; Lucas & Fulmer, 2003; Hayward, Wilson et al. 1995; Brown, 1999):

  • The guideline specificity and population to whom it will be applicable.
  • All relevant options and outcomes are specified with decision-making points apparent.
  • Process to identify, select, and combine evidence is described and makes sense.
  • Includes most recent findings (e.g., is current).
  • Process of peer review and evaluation specified.
  • Recommendations are practical and clinically relevant.
  • Recommendations are strong (strength of evidence described).
  • Guideline responds to a clinical problem.
  • Recommendations are applicable to patients in your current setting.
  • Use of recommendations would lead to identifiable outcomes that could be measured.

Continue to Step 3.7 - Critiquing a Quality Improvement Report

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