Table 1

Checklist for WHO Treatment Guidelines (from Guidelines for WHO Guidelines [3]).
	Yes	Questions	Reference Points

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

This Checklist is intended for the following purposes: (1) As a guide for developing or updating WHO treatment Guidelines. (2) As a check-list for Executive and Regional Directors when giving final approval for publication. To qualify for publication and inclusion in the WHO database of treatment guidelines, a tick mark signifying YES must be placed beside all the 24 criteria, except 11a. *These are recommendations based on information other than expert opinion.
Oxman et al. Health Research Policy and Systems 2006 4:28 doi:10.1186/1478-4505-4-28