Table 1 Checklist for WHO Treatment Guidelines (from Guidelines for WHO Guidelines [3]).

Origin

1

Are the Cluster and Department issuing the guidelines clearly identified?

Introduction

Objective, target audience

2

Does the guideline list its objectives, including the patient categories and situation(s) for which the guidelines are intended?

Introduction

3

Does the guideline describe the professional groups to which it is addressed?

Introduction

Guideline Development Group

4

Does the Guideline Development Group include all relevant professional groups, public health experts and end users, including individuals from geographic areas where the guidelines will be applied?

List of members of the guideline development group

5

Does the Group include methodological experts in fields such as search methodology, critical appraisal and cost-effectiveness analysis?

List of members of the guideline development group

Conflict of interest

6

Are all funding sources named, and is there no conflict of interest?

List of funding sources

7

Have all members of the Guideline Development Group and external reviewers declared their interests, and have these interests been recorded in the guideline document?

Annex on documentation of process

8

Does the document describe the method used to minimize any undue influence on the Guideline Development Group and the external reviewers?

Annex on documentation of process

Evidence

9

Was there a systematic comprehensive search for evidence, and has the search strategy been recorded in the guideline?

Annex on documentation of process

10

Has the strength and quality of the evidence on effectiveness been graded?

Annex on documentation of process; evidence table

11a

What percent of recommendations are evidence-based?*

Summary of recommendations

11b

Are the recommendations which are not evidence-based explicitly labeled as "expert opinion" based?

Summary of recommendations

12

Is there explicit consideration of other issues, such as safety and potential misuse in a variety of settings?

Annex on documentation of process; evidence table

13

Is there explicit consideration of issues of cost effectiveness?

Annex on documentation of process; evidence table

14

Is the strength of the recommendation linked to the evidence?

Summary of Recommendations

15

Do the recommendations take into account potential resource constraints?

Implementation issues

Review

16

Were the comments by the external peer review adequately addressed?

Annex on documentation of process

17

Did all members of the Guideline Development Group approve the final document?

Annex on documentation of process

18

Did all members of the Steering Group approve the final document?

Annex on documentation of process

19

Is there a plan for reviewing new evidence and updating the guideline?

Introduction

Presentation, clarity

20

Are the recommendations clearly formulated?

Summary of Recommendations

21

Does the guideline identify and advise on ineffective practices?

Summary of Recommendations

Implementation plan

22

Is there a plan for dissemination and local adaptation of the guideline?

Companion document

23

Are funds available for dissemination and local adaptation for the guideline?

Companion document

24

Are there suggested criteria for monitoring the use in intended settings?

Implementation Issues