Table 3

Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation of the guidelines

Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation criterion
EULAR [6]
Ottawa Panel [11]
ICSI [9]
CCC [8]
AAOS [10]
Schnitzer/ACR [7]

Scope/purpose






     1. Overall objective(s) specifically described
2
3
2
3
3
3
     2. Clinical question(s) specifically described
3
2
4
2
2
3
     3. Patients to whom the guideline is meant to apply specifically described
3
4
4
2
3
2
Stakeholder involvement






     4. Development group included individuals from all relevant professional groups
2
4
2
4
1
1
     5. Patients' views and preferences sought
1
2
1
4
1
2
     6. Target users clearly defined
1
4
4
1
4
1
     7. Guideline piloted among end users
1
1
1
1
1
1
Rigour of development






     8. Systematic methods used to search for evidence
3
3
1
3
2
1
     9. Criteria for selecting evidence clearly described
4
4
1
2
1
2
     10. Methods used for formulating the recommendations clearly described
3
2
1
1
3
1
     11. Health benefits, side effects and risks considered in formulating the recommendations
4
3
2
4
2
4
     12. Explicit link between recommendations and supporting evidence
4
4
3
4
2
3
     13. Guideline externally reviewed by experts prior to publication
1
3
1
1
2
1
     14. Procedure for updating the guideline provided
1
1
3
3
2
1
Clarity/presentation






     15. Specific and unambiguous recommendations
3
2
3
2
2
1
     16. Different options for diagnosis and/or treatment of the condition clearly presented
3
4
3
4
2
3
     17. Key recommendations easily identifiable
4
3
4
4
4
1
     18. Guideline supported with tools for application
2
2
4
2
2
1
Applicability






     19. Potential organizational barriers in applying the recommendations discussed
1
2
2
1
1
1
     20. Potential cost implications of applying the recommendations considered
1
1
1
4
1
2
     21. Guideline presents key review criteria for monitoring and audit purposes
1
1
3
1
1
1
Editorial independence






     22. Guideline editorially independent from the funding body
3
3
1
4
1
1
     23. Conflicts of interest of guideline development members recorded
1
1
4
4
1
4

AAOS, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; ACR, American College of Rheumatology; CCC, Canadian Consensus Conference; EULAR, European League Against Rheumatism; ICSI, Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 1, Strongly disagree; 2, disagree; 3, agree; 4, strongly agree.

Poitras et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007 9:R126   doi:10.1186/ar2339