List of the desirable characteristics of review criteria and mean importance and feasibility ratings, ordered by importance rating
| Mean rating | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characteristic | Importance | Feasibility |
| Criteria are described in unambiguous terms | 6.7 | 5.6 |
| Criteria are based on a systematic review of research evidence | 6.6 | 5.0 |
| The validity of identified research is rigorously appraised | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Criteria include clear definitions of the variables to be measured | 6.5 | 5.9 |
| Criteria explicitly state the patient populations to which they apply | 6.4 | 5.9 |
| Criteria are capable of differentiating between appropriate and inappropriate care | 6.3 | 5.0 |
| Criteria are linked to improving health outcomes for the care being reviewed | 6.3 | 4.7 |
| Criteria explicitly state the clinical settings to which they apply | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| The collection of information required for criteria based review minimises demands on staff | 6.2 | 6.4 |
| The method of selecting criteria is described in enough detail to be repeated | 6.1 | 5.8 |
| Criteria are accompanied by clear instructions for their use in reviewing care | 6.1 | 6.0 |
| The systematic review used to guide the selection of criteria is up to date | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Criteria are pilot tested for practical feasibility | 6.0 | 5.1 |
| Criteria include aspects of care that are relevant to patients | 6.0 | 4.9 |
| The collection of information for criteria based review is acceptable to those patients whose care is being reviewed | 6.0 | 5.2 |
| The bibliographic sources used to identify research evidence are specified | 5.9 | 6.3 |
| In selecting criteria, decisions on trade-offs between outcomes from different treatment options are stated | 5.9 | 4.5 |
| The collection of information required for criteria based review minimises demands on patients | 5.9 | 5.3 |
| The method of synthesising evidence and expert opinion is made explicit | 5.8 | 5.3 |
| Criteria are prioritised according to the quality of supporting evidence | 5.8 | 4.9 |
| Criteria are prioritised according to their impact on health outcomes | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| The criteria used to assess the validity of research are stated | 5.6 | 5.8 |
| Similar criteria should emerge if other groups review the same evidence | 5.5 | 4.6 |
| The collection of information for criteria based review is acceptable to those staff whose care is being reviewed | 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Expert opinion is included in the process of developing review criteria | 5.3 | 5.5 |
| Criteria used in previous quality reviews of the same clinical topic are considered for inclusion | 5.3 | 5.8 |