How to Write a Guideline from Start to Finish: A Handbook for Healthcare Professionals

Guidelines are an integral part of modern health care systems and are used and developed by all health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and therapists. This book will provide a handbook for health professionals on the process of Guidelines preparation and implementation - from start to finish. It will include many real-life examples of each step in the process as illustrated from existing Guidelines. Information will be provided on how to access the extensive literature that is available throughout the world by inclusion of a comprehensive list of important sites - an extremely valuable and time-saving resource. This handbook will become essential reading for all health professionals, whether they are involved in using or developing guidelines, e.g. doctors, nurses, therapists, practice nurses - or for allied health professionals - audit clerks, clinical directors, hospital managers and audit departments - who need an easy-to-read and refer to guide to all aspects of Guidelines.An all-in-one handbook on the development and implementation of clinical guidelinesStep-by-step approachIncludes lots of examples and references to websites and other useful informationCovers the following key topics: An explanation behind the different methodology used with regard to guidelines.How to get started, including assembling a guideline development group.Forming clinical questions and searching for evidence in the literature.Grading the evidence, including explanations of the different systems available.Forming recommendations.Consensus processes.Implementation and dissemination including the use of algorithms, integrated care pathways and audit tools.Appraisal tools.Economic considerations in guideline development.Legal issues.