Guidance for Guidelines

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Abstract
Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements that aim to help physicians and patients reach the best health care decisions. Good guidelines have many attributes, including validity, reliability, reproducibility, clinical applicability and flexibility, clarity, development through a multidisciplinary process, scheduled reviews, and documentation.1 More than 2000 guidelines are currently represented in the National Guideline Clearinghouse (www.guideline.gov). Medical specialty societies are their most common sponsors.Guidelines rely on both evidence and opinion; they are neither infallible nor a substitute for clinical judgment. They do, however, go beyond systematic reviews to recommend what should and should not be done in specific clinical . . .