The SIGN guide to the AGREE guideline appraisal instrument

[SIGN Guide to AGREE]

11. The health benefits, side effects and risks should be considered in formulating the recommendations

The health benefits(s) to be gained from the recommendations should be compared with the benefits from the next best alternative treatments. The guideline should provide a discussion of the overall effect of the proposed treatment on final outcomes such as quality of life / length of life in relation to alternative treatments as well as harms and risks. An essential element of the "considered judgement" which SIGN guideline development groups are asked to apply to the evidence base is therefore an assessment of the clinical impact of the recommendations, including the extent of the impact on the target patient population, and the resource implications (see item 18).

Considered judgement form

The SIGN Guide to the AGREE guideline appraisal instrument
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) 28 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1EN Tel. +44 (0) 131-718 5090 Fax. +44 (0) 131-718 5114 Website address: http://www.sign.ac.uk email sign@sign.ac.uk Last modified 6/6/05 © SIGN 2001