Quality Assessment of a Clinical Guidelines Czech Neurological Society

Czech version

Authors: R. Líčeník ^1,2; K. Kliková ¹; D. Osinová ¹; S. Doubravská ²; Kateřina Ivanová ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Centrum pro klinické doporučené postupy, Ústav sociálního lékařství a zdravotní politiky LF UP v Olomouci ¹; Hyper-acute stroke unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Londýn ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2014; 77/110(1): 64-69
Category: Original Paper

Overview

Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of a new set of clinical practice guidelines developed by the Czech Neurological Society between 2009 and 2012 using the methodology developed by the National Reference Centre.

Methods:
Six neurological clinical practice guidelines were evaluated by four independent reviewers with AGREE II instrument in six domains: scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, clarity and presentation, applicability, and editorial independence.

Results:
All evaluated clinical practice guidelines were of high quality with the mean of 93.5% for the total score domain. The guidelines had high scores in the clarity and recommendations and applicability (99.6%), scope and purpose (99.0%), rigour of development (97.6%) and stakeholder involvement (97.1%). The lowest score was in editorial independence (47.5%).

Conclusions:
The overall quality of neurology clinical practice guidelines was high. The methodology of development and support for developers was robust, systematic and standardised. To maintain the quality of development of clinical practice guidelines in the future it is crucial to continue using a comprehensive and validated development framework. The quality of guidelines can be improved by increasing stakeholder involvement, continuous and systematic assessment of their quality and content and their impact on inputs, processes and outcomes of health care as well as ensuring their effective implementation.

Key words:
practice guidelines – quality indicators – standards of care – evaluation studies – neurology

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE “uniform requirements” for biomedical papers.

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