Table 3 Main characteristics of the developed tools

Analysis of barriers in clinical care (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-1)

To support the processes of 1) defining the scope of the guideline; 2) identifying barriers in clinical care; 3) analyzing barriers in clinical care; and 4) selecting and prioritizing barriers in clinical care

Six-step plan for determining, selecting, and addressing barriers in clinical care

Integration of cost-effectiveness in guidelines (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-2)

1) To demonstrate how cost-effectiveness and/or budget impact can be involved in drafting a guideline

Descriptive text, including taxonomy, general information and recommendations

2) To offer support in evaluating whether additional analyses are needed and what type of expertise this will require

Prevention of improper influence due to conflicts of interest (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-4)

To enlarge transparency about relationships and interests of all proposed stakeholders involved in preparing scientific advisory reports and medical guidelines

‘Declaration of Interests’ form

International collaboration in guideline development (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-5)

To formulate both conditions for successful international collaboration and steps that guideline developers need to follow when collaborating at an international level

Six-step plan on how to collaborate internationally in developing guidelines

Developing population-specific recommendations (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-7)

To facilitate the development of recommendations that are as specific as possible

Checklist, containing a number of questions that a guideline development group can ask when formulating recommendations

Integration of shared decision making in guidelines (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-8)

To promote shared decision making between health care providers and patients when implementing preference-sensitive guideline recommendations in practice

Descriptive text using hyperlinks to background materials and papers

Definition and identification of knowledge gaps in guidelines (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-9)

1) To facilitate both the identification and definition of knowledge gaps during the guideline development process

Descriptive text, including a definition of knowledge gaps, information on forms of knowledge gaps and criteria for knowledge gaps

2) To support researchers and grant providers in selecting and funding themes that have a clear relevance to patient care

Implementation of guidelines (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-10)

To stress the importance of prompt attention for implementation of the guideline, with the ultimate aim of improving the implementability of the guideline

Checklist, containing a number of points that a guideline development group can consider, which will facilitate the implementation of the guideline recommendations in practice

Monitoring of guidelines (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-11)

To provide a useful framework for the development of a monitoring plan

Eight-step plan for the construction of a monitoring plan

Electronic disclosure of guidelines (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-12)

To improve the ability to search and find guidelines

Overview of available Dutch guideline databases; checklist of criteria for improving the ability to search and find guidelines

Organization and cooperation in multidisciplinary guideline development (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-3)

To provide practical tips for, and examples of, process management, to promote (interprofessional) cooperation in guideline development groups

Descriptive text, including general information, recommendations and examples

Project management in guideline development (http://www.ha-ring.nl/en/tool-6)

To provide tips, instruments and helpful tools for efficient project management when developing or revising guidelines and/or products derived from them

Descriptive text, including tips, tricks and helpful tools for efficient project management