Clinical Practice Guidelines in an Era of Accountability, Saudi Arabia: A Call for Action

Abstract Introduction Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) development and implementation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are suboptimal. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 envisages a transformational change to achieve an effective, integrated, value-based ecosystem focused on patient health. Objectives This study aimed to develop a CPG appraisal tool that will support the realization of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 through the development of high-quality and highly implementable CPGs. To maximize its impact, all vital healthcare paradigms, such as systems thinking, value-based healthcare, and information technology, will robustly be incorporated in the tool. Methods The Saudi Health Council through its National Center of Evidence-Based Medicine (NCEBM) embarked on a program to develop this appraisal tool. A taskforce of experts was selected based on their experience in evidence-based practice and training. The task force, through a methodology of extensive literature review, deliberation, outside experts’ feedback, and Delphi and consensus voting, developed a prototype appraisal tool that was named the Holistic Appraisal Tool for CPGs (HAT-CPG). Results The HAT-CPG was developed comprising three sections: an initial basic information section, an internal validity section, and an external validity section with a total of 13 section items and 73 reporting elements. Conclusion It is envisaged that the Holistic Appraisal Tool will support CPG developers and users in Saudi Arabia in realizing the objectives for which it was developed.