Article Text
Abstract
Background MINDS (Medical Information Network Distribution Service) is a consignment project for MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) managed by Japan Council for Quality Health Care. MINDS has been disseminating evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPG) as guideline clearinghouse in Japan.
Objectives To assess the quality of evidence-based CPG developed in Japan.
Methods We searched Japanese CPG using 10 major databases from January 2007 to January 2013. After two-stage screening process with exclusion criteria, identified CPG were evaluated by 4 reviewers of the CPG evaluation group using the AGREEII (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II) Instrument.
Results A total of 1763 literatures were identified by the searching process. After screening process, 168 guidelines were evaluated by the AGREEII instrument from September 2011 to January 2013. The scores mean (SD) of each AGREEII domain were as follows: Scope and Purpose, 64.1 (19.2); Stakeholder Involvement, 46.0 (18.2); Rigour of Development, 39.8 (24.6); Clarity of Presentation, 58.8 (21.3); Applicability, 42.7 (16.3); Editorial Independence, 29.9 (31.4) and Overall assessment, 50.4 (21.1).
Discussion Among the AGREEII domains, Editorial Independence and Rigour of Development are important factors to improve the quality of Japanese CPG.
Implications for guideline developers/users It is necessary to cooperate with guideline development group in order to utilise the guidelines evaluation result for improving the guideline development process. MINDS is preparing to hold workshops 2013 focused on guideline methodology for guideline developers.