Abstract
BackgroundThe work of developing clinical practice guidelines began just a little more than ten years ago in China. Up to now, there have been few studies about them.ObjectivesTo review and analyze the status of Chinese clinical practice guidelines in 1997–2007.MethodsAll Chinese guidelines from 1997–2007 were collected, and made a regression analysis, and a citation analysis for evaluating the impact of guidelines. To analyze the developing quality, the most influential guidelines were evaluated with AGREE instrument, and each guideline was evaluated to check for any updating. In order to analyze the objective and target population, all guidelines were classified and counted separately according to disease/symptom center, and whether towards specialists or general practitioners.Results143 guidelines were collected. An exponential function equation was established for the trend in the number of guidelines. The immediacy index in every year was very low while the average citation rate was not. Both the percentages of highly cited and never cited were high. For the evaluation with AGREE, only the average score of clarity and presentation was high (89.9%); the remaining were much lower. Editorial independence scored 0. Only 27 (18.9%) of 143 guidelines, were found to be evidence-based. Only a few had ever been updated, with an average updating interval of 5.2 years. Only 2.1% were symptom-centered, and only 4.2% were aimed at general practitioners.ConclusionMuch progress has been obtained for Chinese guidelines development. However, there were still defects, and greater efforts should be made in the future.
Highlights
The work of developing clinical practice guidelines began just a little more than ten years ago in China
The immediacy index in every year was very low while the average citation rate was not
Much progress has been obtained for Chinese guidelines development
Summary
The work of developing clinical practice guidelines began just a little more than ten years ago in China. Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances (Institute of Medicine, 1990) [1]. They are expected to promote more consistent, effective and efficient medical practice and to improve health outcomes [2]. A large number of good guidelines have been produced by numerous organizations all over the world, especially in UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The work of developing guidelines began just a little more than ten years ago in China, encouraging progress has been made.
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