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• Chairs’ experience and knowledge may relate to outdated methods or methods that are not evidence-based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