Clinical Practice Guidelines

Abstract

In this chapter, we will introduce the concept of clinical practice guidelines and their appraisal. We will begin with the definition of a clinical practice guideline and provide insight into the development of this resource and the procedures for how to locate these tools within current evidence frameworks. We will discuss major components of guidelines and appraisal methods to ensure rigor of development including Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II and Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards. We will conclude the chapter with application to practice.