Table 2 Implementation approaches and interventions used in eligible studies

 Educate groups about guideline intent/benefits

6, 5.1%

[76, 81, 90, 101, 121, 145]

46, 39%

[42, 46, 49, 52, 55, 56, 58, 61, 62, 65, 67, 71, 72, 78, 80, 84, 86, 91, 93, 96,97,98,99,100, 103, 107, 112, 114, 118,119,120, 123, 128,129,130,131, 133, 134, 137, 141, 143, 150,151,152, 155, 157]

52, 44.1%

 Provide feedback on compliance

40, 33.9%

[42, 49, 52, 58, 59, 62, 65, 72,73,74, 80, 89, 94, 99, 103, 106, 108, 110, 112,113,114,115, 119, 120, 125, 128,129,130, 132,133,134, 137, 139, 143, 144, 150,151,152,153, 155]

40, 33.9%

 Print material (summary, algorithm, referral forms, etc.)

2, 1.7%

[69, 101]

36, 30.5%

[42, 46, 50, 51, 53, 55, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 67, 70, 72, 78, 80, 91, 92, 94, 96, 116, 118, 119, 123, 125, 130, 132, 137, 139, 143, 150,151,152,153, 155, 157]

38, 32.2%

 Present guideline materials at meetings

4, 3.4%

[76, 81, 101, 126]

33, 28%

[42, 46, 56, 58, 61, 65, 67, 68, 72, 74, 78, 84, 86, 91, 95, 107, 111, 112, 114, 119, 120, 123, 125, 128, 130, 135, 137, 141, 143, 150, 151, 155, 157]

37, 31,4%

 Distribute guideline material

2, 1.7%

[44, 117]

26, 22%

[58, 60, 63, 67, 68, 74, 77, 85, 86, 88, 100, 105, 113, 116, 118,119,120, 125, 132, 133, 137, 139, 143, 152, 155, 157]

28, 23.7%

 Provide feedback from healthcare professionals

21, 17.8%

[50, 51, 53, 62, 71, 73, 80, 89, 94, 99, 108, 110, 112, 116, 119, 137, 141, 142, 151, 155, 157]

 Educate individuals about guideline intent/benefits

2, 1.7%

[117, 126]

15, 12.7%

[66,67,68, 70, 84, 92, 93, 106, 108, 113, 116, 132, 135, 150, 157]

 Provide reminders to individuals/groups about intent/benefits

2, 1.7%

[44, 87]

15, 12.7%

[42, 55, 62, 67, 74, 78, 80, 97, 99, 113, 123, 130, 133, 134, 157]

 Tailor guideline

1, 0.8%

[154]

12, 10.2%

[55, 58, 67, 80, 94, 99, 103, 106, 118, 132, 135, 141]

13, 11%

 Recruit an opinion leader who recommends implementation

11, 9.3%

[62, 68, 103, 108, 110, 114, 123, 131, 137, 139, 151]

 Enable self-audit (training, material)

9, 7.6%

[62, 99, 110, 112, 114, 132, 137, 144, 150]

9, 7.6%

 Provide alerts when practice deviates

4, 3.4%

[48, 87, 146, 154]

5, 4.2%

[83, 112, 115, 137, 144]

9, 7.6%

 Provide feedback about patients (outcome data, self-report)

5, 4.2%

[50, 52, 60, 73, 108]

5, 4.2%

 Achieve consensus that guideline should be implemented

4, 3.4%

[99, 114, 137, 141]

 Advertise guideline material

4, 3.4%

[66, 100, 119, 159]

 Education (single or group)

26, 22%

[43, 51, 54, 57, 62, 63, 71, 72, 78, 83, 85, 97, 102, 105, 106, 111, 116, 118, 120, 123, 128, 133, 139, 142, 152, 156]

 Print material (summary, etc.)

23, 19.5%

[51, 53, 55, 62, 67, 68, 78, 85, 88, 98, 102, 105, 106, 111, 116, 118, 120, 123, 132, 134, 142, 152, 156]

23, 19.5%

 Counselling

13, 11%

[43, 53, 54, 57, 71, 85, 102, 105, 106, 116, 123, 152, 156]

 Reminder

3, 2.5%

[72, 78, 99]

  Grant or allowance to group/institution (not tied to compliance)

7, 5.9%

[45, 72, 94, 103, 139, 144, 153]

7, 5.9%

  Grant or allowance to individual (not tied to compliance)

1, 0.8%

[126]

5, 4.2%

[45, 114, 128, 130, 155]

6, 5%

  Incentive (individual financial reward or benefit for compliance)

1, 0.8%

[122]

3, 2.5%

[56, 94, 135]

  Incentive (group or institutional financial reward or benefit)

1, 0.8%

[79]

1, 0.8%

  Grant or allowance (not tied to compliance)

1, 0.8%

[83]

  Create an implementation/multidisciplinary team

21, 17.8%

[45, 49, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 62, 71, 73, 84, 94, 97, 99, 114, 131, 132, 139, 141, 151, 153]

21, 17.8%

  Reallocated or new role

10, 8.5%

[43, 50, 112, 114,115,116, 139, 151, 152, 156]

  Communication between distant health professionals

9, 7.6%

[43, 45, 52, 71, 97, 99, 111, 139, 141]

9, 7.6%

  Additional human resources (number/type)

2, 1.7%

[47, 124]

5, 4.2%

[54, 83, 108, 111, 132]

7, 5.9%

  Consumer feedback, suggestions, complaints

3, 2.5%

[106, 132, 152]

 Information/communication technology

15, 12.7%

[64, 75, 87, 104, 109, 127, 136, 138, 140, 146,147,148,149, 154, 158]

33, 28%

[42, 50, 51, 55, 58, 62, 63, 67, 72, 73, 77, 79, 80, 86, 88, 89, 95, 103, 105,106,107,108, 110, 111, 116, 128, 130, 132, 133, 137, 143, 144, 159]

48, 40.7%

 Quality improvement, performance measurement system

10, 8.5%

[82, 104, 122, 127, 136, 138, 146, 149, 154, 158]

15, 12.7%

[73, 80, 89, 96, 97, 99, 110, 112, 114, 120, 130, 132, 133, 139, 144]

 Method of service delivery

2, 1.7%

[64, 140]

19, 16.1%

[45, 46, 50, 51, 57, 65, 78, 85, 98, 99, 105, 106, 108, 111, 119, 128, 132, 143, 159]

 Integration of services

3, 2.5%

[148, 149, 154]

7, 5.9%

[45, 51, 111, 116, 139, 144, 159]

 Organizational structure (including reorganization)

3, 2.5%

[77, 111, 139]

3, 2.5%

 Physical structure, facilities or equipment

2, 1.7%

[137, 139]

2, 1.7%

Total studies

30

88

118