3.7 Formulate a dissemination and implementation strategy
During the guideline development phase the panel should also develop a plan for disseminating and implementing the guidelines. Ideally, this plan will target all potential users and define and recommend processes that will encourage them to adopt and implement the guidelines. Such a plan may be developed in consultation with the wider group of interested parties. Chapter 4 provides detailed information about dissemination and implementation.
3.8 Formulate an evaluation and revision strategy
The panel should develop a strategy designed to ensure that the guidelines are evaluated properly and revised when necessary.
This will involve specifying both short-term and long-term frameworks for evaluation and identifying who will conduct the studies. The evaluation should assess how effectively information has been disseminated to patients consenting to the treatment in question as well as to practitioners providing the treatment. It may also include a consideration of alternative evaluation procedures.
Most importantly, the evaluation will assess whether implementation of the guidelines has led to improvements in health outcomes. Chapter 5 provides detailed information about evaluation and revision.
3.9 The guidelines themselves
Once the dissemination and implementation and evaluation and revision strategies have been developed, the panel should proceed to produce the guidelines.
The guidelines should be presented as clearly and concisely as possible, bearing in mind that different formats may be appropriate for different types of guidelines or different types of users. Guidelines may be presented as free text, as flow charts or in any other format that facilitates comprehension. Abbreviations and symbols should be consistent and easy to follow. Important terms and others that might be misinterpreted should be defined.
The guideline document’s content will vary according to its specific purpose —for example, whether it relates to diagnosis, choosing treatment options, implementation of specific treatment, or managing an extended process of care. In some cases an additional document with more explanation or in a different format may be required for use by consumers. Consideration might also be given to producing different guideline documents for specialist and non-specialist health professionals and for different health care settings.