Guidelines for evaluation

Before implementing a guideline, reassurance is needed that the guideline is valid, reproducible and reliable. A method for assessing guideline validity has now been developed for general use. Guideline producers need to consider suitable strategies for implementing their guidelines. When designing and evaluating a guideline implementation strategy, three key questions need to be addressed: what are the most suitable intervention techniques; what are the desired effects of the guideline; and what will be the relevance of changes achieved? The time scale for the evaluation should also be determined carefully.