An introduction to ‘living’ guidelines methods and processes

Abstract

‘Living’ clinical practice guidelines provide an innovative approach to guideline development which ensures evidence is frequently identified and rapidly incorporated into living recommendations. The Australian Living Evidence Consortium (ALEC) hosts several living guidelines in COVID-19, stroke, diabetes, musculoskeletal health, and kidney disease. These projects are all at varying stages of development and adoption of a living approach. The ALEC Methods and Working Processes Group compiled their experiences across these living guidelines projects to develop a living guidelines' handbook (https://livingevidence.org.au/key-publications ), which provides guidance to developers who are considering starting a new living guideline. ALEC also collaborated with the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the US GRADE Network, to produce a series of articles on ‘Methods for Living Guidelines: Early Guidance based on Practical Experience’ (https://www.jclinepi.com/content/living-guidelines).