Clinical guidelines process manual - Setting standards for development of clinical guidelines in paediatrics and child health

This manual, updated in April 2020, describes our process to develop high standard clinical guidelines, and includes information on grading evidence, consensus methods, dissemination and implementation. Our process has been accredited by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) since 2006.

About the manual

The process manual, which you can download below, states the methods and developmental stages that RCPCH follows to develop high standard clinical guidelines.

It also states that clinical guidelines are more likely to be used if they are evidence-based, rigorously produced, simple, flexible and perceived to be helpful. This means they can be adapted to local requirements and patient needs.

The validity of any clinical guideline is related to four important factors: a) composition of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) and its processes; b) identification and appraisal of evidence; c) method of guideline construction and c) external peer review.

This manual is also aimed at individuals and/or organisations intending to develop a guideline. It summarises the necessary processes to follow to develop and update a guideline, including information on grading evidence, consensus methods, dissemination and implementation.

The document also sets out the criteria for RCPCH endorsement of clinical guidelines from other organisations and recommends how to fulfil requirements set out by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument (PDF).

Update

    The latest update in April 2020 reflects current practice. It also incorporates changes to the NICE process manual, last published in 2018, which includes:

    • new requirement to have a minimum of two lay representatives as part of the guideline development group
    • changes to the conflict of interest policy for the guideline development group members
    • an introduction on Delphi Consensus methodology
    • a new section on research recommendations.

    Accreditation

    The document has been accredited by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) since 2009.

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