The International Guideline Credentialing & Certification Program is the product of a joint partnership between leaders in the field of guideline development - [ Guidelines International Network (G-I-N)](https://g-i-n.net/), a global network of guideline producing organizations and guideline participants, and world-renowned experts in guideline research, development and implementation at [McMaster University’s Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact.](https://hei.mcmaster.ca/)


About

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Trainees will become certified upon completion of required coursework and, if appropriate,
when experience-based requirements (e.g., participating in a minimum number of guideline panels) have been fulfilled. Highly experienced individuals may apply for fast track certification
allowing them to forego certain course requirements.

No international certified program to ensure guideline quality exists. The Guidelines
International Network (G-I-N) and McMaster University are partnering to offer the International
Guideline Credentialing &amp; Certification Program to support organizations that develop
guidelines and train individuals and groups from around the world in guideline development
methods and related content. The Program will seek ISO 9001 certification to ensure our
training meets quality requirements.


The goal of credentialing and certification is to ensure the production of high-quality practice
guidelines by training all those involved in guideline development with a focus on implementing
modern, evidence-based guideline development research.


The course content encompasses the entire guideline enterprise, including planning,
implementation, evaluation, and updating of practice guidelines. The course will be organized
according to the [GIN-McMaster Guideline Development Checklist](https://heigrade.mcmaster.ca/guideline-development/using-checklist) tool and can be tailored to
the needs of organizations and trainees.


The program includes four successive certification levels:

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**For Guideline Producing Organizations: Why Require Certification of Guideline Group or Panel Members?**

Organizations will require certification among guideline development group members as they are aware that:
- their members may have little to no experience or understanding of guideline development methods
- their members’ experience and knowledge relates to outdated methods or methods that are not evidence-based. 

 


**Benefits of Certification**

Benefits of certification include:
- Guideline producing organizations can check if potential panel members are certified
- Guideline producing organizations will rely on panels with the same, evidence-based knowledge and skills
- Individuals will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to the development of guidelines for any health-related topic

 

**Main Learning Objectives**

After completion of the Guideline Group or Panel member course, the learner will be able to:
- Understand and describe the evidence-based methods to developing practice guidelines, based on the relevant topics of the GIN-McMaster checklist
- Apply the evidence-based methods as a practice guideline panel member

Guideline Group or Panel Member Course

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**For Guideline Producing Organizations: Why Require Certification of Guideline Methodologists?**

Organizations will require certification among guideline methodologists as they are aware that:
- Methodologists’ experience and knowledge may relate to outdated methods or methods that are not evidence-based
- Methodologists may have appropriate up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based methods, but have limited experience with applying them in panels 

 

**Benefits of Certification**

Benefits of certification include:
- Guideline producing organizations can check if potential methodologists are certified
- Guideline producing organizations will rely on methodologists with evidence-based knowledge and skills, who can explain complex methodological issues to guideline panels
- Individuals will be able to apply their knowledge and skills as a methodologist to guideline development for any health-related topic

 

**Main Learning Objectives**

After completion of the Guideline Methodologist course, the learner will be able to:
- Understand and describe the evidence-based methods to developing practice guidelines, based on the entire GIN-McMaster checklist
- Apply the evidence-based methods as a panel methodologist

Guideline Methodologist Course

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**For Guideline Producing Organizations: Why Require Certification of Guideline Chairs?**

Organizations will require certification among guideline chairs as they are aware that:
- Chairs’ experience and knowledge may relate to outdated methods or methods that are not evidence-based
- Chairs may have appropriate up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based methods, but have limited experience with applying them in panels
- Despite having appropriate methodological knowledge, chairs may not have the experience and skills to manage and reach consensus with a panel of members from varied backgrounds

 

**Benefits of Certification**

Benefits of certification include:
- Guideline producing organizations can check if potential chairs are certified
- Guideline producing organizations will rely on chairs with evidence-based knowledge and skills, regarding guideline development methodology as well as leading a panel 
- Individuals will be able to apply their knowledge and skills as a chair to guideline development for any health-related topic

 

**Main Learning Objectives**

After completion of the Master Guideline Developer and Chair course, the learner will be able to
- Lead a guideline panel to reach consensus on recommendations for health questions
- Understand and describe the evidence-based methods to developing practice guidelines, based on the entire GIN-McMaster checklist

Master Guideline Developer and Chair Course

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**For Guideline Producing Organizations: Why Require Certification of Guideline Development Instructors?**

Organizations will require certification among guideline development instructors as they are aware that:
- Their panel members, methodologists and chairs need training based on up-to-date evidence-based methods

 

**Benefits of Certification**

Benefits of certification include:
- Guideline producing organizations can check if instructors are certified
- Guideline producing organizations will be assured that panel members will be trained by an instructor with evidence-based knowledge and experience 

 

**Main Learning Objectives**

After completion of the Guideline Development Credentialing Instructor course, the learner will be able to:
- Teach guideline panel members, methodologists and chairs the evidence-based knowledge and skills they need to develop guidelines

Guideline Development Credentialing Instructor Course

**Level 1: Guideline Group or Panel Member Certification**– designed for individuals participating as a member of a guideline development group (with no special additional responsibilities); prerequisite for all higher-level certifications

 

**Level 2: Guideline Methodologist Certification** – designed for individuals participating in a guideline development group in the role of expert methodologist; prerequisite for certification at levels 3 & 4

 

**Level 3: Master Guideline Developer and Chair Certification** – designed for individuals participating in a guideline development group in the role of chair or co-chair; prerequisite for certification at level 4

 

**Level 4: Guideline Development Credentialing Instructor Certification** – designed for individuals responsible for training prospective guideline development group members, methodologists or chairs.

What Level of Certification Do I Need?

Training and certification will ensure that everyone involved in the development of health
recommendations has the necessary competencies to successfully and efficiently apply
systematic, evidence-based methods to consistently produce high-quality guidelines. Therefore,
users of recommendations can rest assured that guidelines developed by certified individuals
contain trustworthy recommendations.

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What Will Training Accomplish?

- Organizations who intend to work with guideline group members and chairs who have
appropriate skill levels

- Guideline methodologists who intend to support groups that develop health
recommendations

- Educators who intend to provide certified teaching about guidelines and
recommendations

Who is this for?

Any individual participating in, conducting or leading a guideline group or panel should be certified, including:
- Health care practitioners and other health professionals
- Patients
- Researchers
- Systematic Review Experts
- Epidemiologists
- Statisticians
- Information Scientists
- Patient Carers and Advocates
- Policy Makers
- Clinical Administrators
- Health care Funders

In addition, individuals interested in teaching guideline development methods to other members of their organization should be certified.

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Who Should Be Certified?

Health guidelines assist health professionals, patients and other recipients of health
interventions to make complex healthcare decisions. For most areas in the health sector,
proper certification is needed. However, guideline development processes vary substantially,
and many guidelines do not meet basic quality criteria. Organizations and individuals with
varying backgrounds and levels of experience currently develop guidelines or recommendations.
Their level of qualification is not managed or monitored. Guidelines and recommendations are
presently developed and published without formal training of their developers. In part this is
due to the lack of a widely accepted certification standard and this program will address this
shortcoming.

International Guideline Credentialing & Certification Program

Who is this for?

Program summary

Why is Training And Certification Needed?

What Will Training Accomplish?

Who Should Be Certified?

What Level of Certification Do I Need?

About

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