Table 1 Proliferation of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Guidelines have been collected and displayed on internet websites including:

▪ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Guideline Clearinghouse, USA; 2,097 guidelines, as at 27^th June 2007.

▪ NHMRC, Australia; 46 guidelines as at 29th June 2007.

▪ NZ Guidelines Group 2003; 73 guidelines and reports as at 27^th June 2007.

▪ National Institute for Health linical Excellence (NICE); 57 guidelines as at 27^th June 2007.

▪ The Guidelines International Network, which has a collection of 4,300 guidelines, systematic reviews, and evidence reports available to members (GIN, 29^th June 2007)