Article type
Abstract
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Background
Traditional methods for guideline development require substantial time (up to 24 months) and resources. To reduce the backlog of guidelines requiring update the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) has been seeking ways of developing guidelines more quickly than traditional methods. Abbreviated methodologies (ADAPTE and GRADE-ADOLOPMENT) formed the basis for trialing new methods for developing guidelines within a 12-month timescale.
Objective
To identify faster and resource-efficient methods of producing robust guidelines relevant to the Scottish health and social care setting.
Methods
Two different approaches were used to develop guidance on three different topics:
1. Adoption and adaptation of recommendations from a recently published Australian guideline using a decision tool to agree and document any changes needed.
2. Adoption and adaptation of recommendations from several published guidelines using a modified Delphi consensus approach to vote on the acceptability and implementability of shortlisted recommendations and suggestions for adaptations, where required.
Results
1. The adoption and adaptation of the Australian guideline took 10 months to develop (a reduction of 55% compared to the traditional method). The recommendations were viewed as acceptable and implementable at consultation. Additional advice specific to Scotland was also included.
2. Guidance on two other topics was developed within 12 months (publication pending). using the consensus method. Additional information was included to support implementation.
3. Removing the evidence review from the development process reduced the production time. The time needed for drafting, editing and consultation was similar to that used in the traditional approach.
Conclusion
Using the principles of ADAPTE and GRADE-ADOLOPMENT, methods to develop guidelines can be tailored to the resource available and stakeholders’ needs regarding the end product. This is dependent on the availability of recent, high-quality guidelines to use as source documents. "
Background
Traditional methods for guideline development require substantial time (up to 24 months) and resources. To reduce the backlog of guidelines requiring update the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) has been seeking ways of developing guidelines more quickly than traditional methods. Abbreviated methodologies (ADAPTE and GRADE-ADOLOPMENT) formed the basis for trialing new methods for developing guidelines within a 12-month timescale.
Objective
To identify faster and resource-efficient methods of producing robust guidelines relevant to the Scottish health and social care setting.
Methods
Two different approaches were used to develop guidance on three different topics:
1. Adoption and adaptation of recommendations from a recently published Australian guideline using a decision tool to agree and document any changes needed.
2. Adoption and adaptation of recommendations from several published guidelines using a modified Delphi consensus approach to vote on the acceptability and implementability of shortlisted recommendations and suggestions for adaptations, where required.
Results
1. The adoption and adaptation of the Australian guideline took 10 months to develop (a reduction of 55% compared to the traditional method). The recommendations were viewed as acceptable and implementable at consultation. Additional advice specific to Scotland was also included.
2. Guidance on two other topics was developed within 12 months (publication pending). using the consensus method. Additional information was included to support implementation.
3. Removing the evidence review from the development process reduced the production time. The time needed for drafting, editing and consultation was similar to that used in the traditional approach.
Conclusion
Using the principles of ADAPTE and GRADE-ADOLOPMENT, methods to develop guidelines can be tailored to the resource available and stakeholders’ needs regarding the end product. This is dependent on the availability of recent, high-quality guidelines to use as source documents. "