ABSTRACT
The previous section discussed who might gather the evidence for discussion by the group but what evidence may be useful. There are a number of sources of evidence to be considered.
It is always worth remembering that it is not necessary to reinvent the wheel. Clinical guidelines are developed in many areas. Source of guidelines will include the various Royal Colleges in the United Kingdom. Guidelines are increasingly being produced by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Various guidelines are also produced by pharmaceutical companies and other groups related to clinical practice. It is likely that other hospitals or practices or districts may have already developed a guideline in the area that you are considering. It can often be helpful to check with ‘neighbours’ to establish if they have already done the work you are starting on. Also, at many national or specialty meetings clinicians may discuss guidelines they have used. Commonly it will be possible to get copies of these guidelines to allow you to have a starting point from which to develop your own guideline with local relevance.
