Published guidelines that come to the attention of clinicians my also attract attention. Since guidelines work best where the evidence base is strong, they require both a problem and evidence about the benefits and harms of interventions. Guideline work looks at all of these outcomes simultaneously allowing decisions to be made based on the value of different practices - the improvement in outcomes for the amount of resources invested. Suitability screens help ensure that the limited resources available for improvement efforts are directed at areas where they are likely to be successful. The time spent on improvement efforts should deliver value - an improvement in healthcare outcomes worth the time, energy and resources necessary to develop and implement the guideline.
Some simple questions help identify potential problem areas.
If the suitability screens aren't favorable, it may be best to move to another topic that is more likely to be successful - every topic chosen is instead of another, potentially more beneficial health and disability area. The champion of the project is an individual who takes responsibility for organizing the improvement effort. Projects that have an identified and motivated champion may be more likely to proceed in a timely fashion and be updated as appropriate. A motivated champion can help keep work going between meetings and communicate information to a wide audience. Opinion leaders are the natural champions for a guideline project, as long as they are able to set aside their biases and follow a clear process for guideline development.