Guidelines for evaluation

Before implementing a guideline, reassurance is needed that the guideline i s valid, reproducible and reliable. A method for assessing guideline validi ty has now been developed for general use. Guideline producers need to cons ider suitable strategies for implementing their guidelines. When designing and evaluating a guideline implementation strategy, three key questions nee d to be addressed: what are the most suitable intervention techniques; what are the desired effects of the guideline; and what will be the relevance o f changes achieved? The time scale for the evaluation should also be determ ined carefully.