Development of National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines

Description

This method for doing synthesis is based on the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) principles from the UK. This method is used to create evidence-informed practice guidelines specifically for public health. The method involves identifying:

• stakeholders who consult on project scope, determine the project’s relevance to public health, and draft guidelines;
• researchers who carry out the review and appraisal of the evidence that informs the guidelines; and
• public health practitioners who review practice recommendations

Evidence of all types is considered equally; evidence across disciplines is considered. When robust evidence is not available, consensus methods are applied. Final publication of an evidence-informed practice guideline that used this method is published in many formats including the NICE website. NICE will be publishing its new process and methods manuals detailing its methods.

Steps for Using Method/Tool

The activities related to this guideline method include:

1. topic selection involving input of experts in public health, organizations and government policy-makers and bureaucrats;
2. discuss project scope; establish inclusion and exclusion criteria; identify research questions;
3. consult with public to identify stakeholders who will develop the project scope
4. commission researchers to carry out a literature search strategy and systematic reviews of the literature;
5. create a report with practice recommendations based on the summarized, appraised evidence;
6. field test practice guideline with public health practitioners;
7. revise guideline recommendations based on field testing results;
8. consult with stakeholder to create final guideline;
9. publish the evidence-based practice guideline in a variety of formats including the NICE website