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INGUIDE

International Guideline Training and Certification Program

Key Program Policies

Coursework Exemptions

Coursework exemptions for highly experienced guideline development experts will be permitted as outlined in Table 1. Individuals seeking coursework exemptions at either of the eligible levels must apply via an online form which will soon be available on the INGUIDE program website. Application forms will be submitted to INGUIDE Program staff for review and approval. An application processing fee of $100 CAD will be charged per application. If approved, an electronic certificate will be emailed to the applicant granting them certification at the respective course level. In the instance that an application is denied (e.g., the application is incomplete or the information supplied by the applicant fails to meet eligibility requirements), INGUIDE Program staff will notify the applicant via email and include the justification for the decision. Applicants who have previously been denied may amend their application and re-apply at any time (application processing fees will apply). If an applicant fails to meet eligibility requirements for exemption the $100 application fee will be deducted from the course fee for the given course.

Table 1. Coursework Exemption Policy by Course Level

Table 1. Coursework Exemption Policy by Course Level
* Individuals who chaired a guideline panel will submit the guideline produced to INGUIDE Program Staff for quality assessment.
** Major organizations and professional societies are defined as those who have developed at least 10 guidelines in the past 10 years.
Course LevelCoursework Exemptions Permitted?JustificationEligibility Requirements
1 - Guideline Panel MemberNoThe level 1 coursework teaches core guideline development methods. It will be a good refresher course even for experts.N/A
2 – Guideline MethodologistNoThe level 2 coursework teaches core guideline development methods. It will be a good refresher course even for experts.N/A
3 – Master Guideline DeveloperYesThe level 3 coursework teaches the soft skills needed to chair a guideline panel. This coursework is not required for those who have already obtained these soft skills from their extensive experience chairing guideline panels.Individuals who have chaired 2 guideline panels within the past 5 years for organizations that have produced guidelines with an AGREE-II score > 60%* AND ‘Passed’ Experiential learning requirements AND have completed level 3 course pre-requisites (i.e., completed level 1 & 2 certification).
4 – Guideline Development Credentialing InstructorYesSome exemptions will be allowed at level 4 to develop the pool of certified instructors.Individuals who have taught > 3 practice guideline development workshops in the year prior to application to major** national or international organizations (e.g., WHO) or professional societies (e.g., ACP).

Recertification & Course Updating

Recertification will be required every five years as per the specifics described in Table 2, or in the event that course material changes significantly as described in Table 3, whichever comes first. Note, once an individual is certified at a given course level they may not apply for coursework exemptions to bypass recertification requirements at that specific course level.

Table 2. Periodic Recertification Requirements

Table 2. Periodic Recertification Requirements
Course LevelRecertification Requirements
Level 1 – Guideline Panel Member CourseIndividuals certified at level 1 who have not progressed to higher levels of certification are required to re-do the entire course (i.e., complete coursework & pass quizzes/exam) every 5 years regardless of their involvement in guideline development over the past 5 years.
Level 2 – Guideline Methodologist CourseIndividuals certified at level 2 who have not progressed to higher levels of certification are required to re-do the entire course (i.e., complete coursework & pass quizzes/exam) every 5 years unless they have acted as the methodologist on 2 guideline panels in the past 5 years.
Level 3 – Master Guideline Developer CourseIndividuals certified at level 3 who have not progressed to higher levels of certification are required to re-do the entire course (i.e., complete coursework & pass quizzes/exam) every 5 years unless they have acted in the chair role or methodologist role on 2 guideline panels in the past 5 years.
Level 4 – Guideline Development Credentialing InstructorIndividuals certified at level 4 are required to re-do the entire course (i.e., complete coursework & pass exam) every 5 years unless they have taught 3 workshops in the past 5 years AND must have acted in chair role or methodologist role on 2 guideline panels in the past 5 years.

Environmental Scans

During the lifetime of the program, it will be necessary to update the courses as guideline development methodology evolves, and approaches may diversify. Scheduled environmental scans will be conducted every 3 years by the steering committee, with assistance from non-steering committee experts as needed, to determine what and how guideline development methodology has changed. Once completed, a report will be created by the INGUIDE Program Manager detailing changes needed for the courses. Changes will be categorized as none, minor or major as per Table 3. The INGUIDE Program Director will review and approve the report before any course materials are changed in consultation with the steering committee.

Consequences of Course Changes

The consequences for individuals with pre-existing certification are outlined in Table 3.

If no changes are made to course materials, recertification is not required until the periodic recertification requirement at 5 years is reached (as defined in Table 2).

Minor course changes will require individuals to either read an overview of changes or review revised sections of material (no testing required), depending on the nature of the minor change as outlined in Table 3.

Major course changes will require individuals to complete bridging material (testing required) or complete the entire course and quizzes/exam, again, depending on the nature of the major changes (Table 3).

The consequences of minor or major course changes to individuals with pre-existing certification apply to each level for which they are certified. For example, an individual certified as a Level 3: Master Guideline Developer would be subject to the consequences of course changes for their highest level of certification (i.e., level 3) as well as all previous levels of certification (i.e., levels 1 and 2).

Table 3. Definition & Consequences of Course Changes

Table 3. Definition & Consequences of Course Changes
* Updated materials will be provided free of charge pending budgetary review; if not financially feasible, then updated materials will be available for a pro-rated fee depending on how much time is left before an individual reaches their 5 year certification expiration date.
DefinitionConsequence to Individuals with Pre-Existing Certification
No Changes N/A
  • Existing certification does not expire until 5 year renewal term (Table 2)
    • Minor Change
  • Fixing typos or grammatical errors
  • Change in examples used to relay the same concept
  • Change in visuals used to relay the same concept
  • Change in branding
  • Existing certification does not expire until 5 year renewal term (Table 2)
  • An overview of what has changed will be circulated to certified students via INGUIDE Program website & newsletter
  • Review of revised materials is not require
    • Major ChangeChanges to 1 or 2 G-I-N/ McMaster Guideline Development Checklist domains
  • Existing certification expires
  • Completion of bridging materials is required (only for the domains that were changed)
  • Bridging materials will be provided free of charge*
  • Testing on materials for revised domains is required
  • No further experiential training requirements
    • Changes to 3 or more G-I-N/ McMaster Guideline Development Checklist domains
  • Existing certification expires
  • Requires re-enrollment and completion of entire course, including testing (all free of charge*)
  • No further experiential training requirements

    • Strategies to Minimize Consequences of Course Updating

    We will implement a transparent timeline for course updating so all stakeholders can proactively schedule and plan for these changes in advance.