ObjectivesTo evaluate the reporting status of conflict of interest and economic evidence in Chinese clinical practice guidelines published in 2017 and to provide implications for the guideline development in China.MethodsCNKI, WanFang Data and Google Scholar were electronically searched to collect clinical practice guidelines published in 2017 from January 1st to December 31st, 2017. Two authors independently screened literature, extracted information of interest, such as conflict of interest disclosure and economic evidences, then, the analysis was performed by using the Microsoft Excel 20013 software.ResultsA total of 53 guidelines were included; in which, 14 (26.42%) disclosed conflict of interest, 10 (18.87%) stated sources of funding, and 6 (11.32%) mentioned economics evidence.ConclusionIn China, inadequate attention is addressed to the conflict of interest disclosure and economics evidence during the development of clinical practice guidelines. We propose the inclusion of conflict of interest and economics evidence disclosure in clinical practice guidelines, which will improve their objectivity, independence, and transparency.
ObjectivesTo investigate Chinese health practitioners’ usage and demand for clinical practice guidelines in general so as to improve the development and implementation of guidelines.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey that covered health practitioners from different levels of medical institutions in 17 provinces in China. Attitudes, adherence, usage barriers and demands for clinical practice guidelines were investigated.ResultsA total of 953 health practitioners were involved in the survey in which 931 completed the questionnaires. Respondents generally held positive attitudes toward guidelines and agreed that they improved quality of care and standardized diagnosis and treatment. More than 80% of the respondents reported a fine adherence to guidelines. The most reported barriers to follow the guidelines were " several guidelines are competing” and " lack of facilities and medical resources”. Most respondents agreed that it was necessary to establish a national guideline database, appraise implementation effect of guidelines, develop evaluation tools for guidelines that are applicable for Chinese clinical practice, and provide guidelines training.ConclusionsThis study finds favorable attitudes and fine adherence towards clinical guidelines in general in China. However, internal barriers, such as authority of guidelines, and external barriers, such as supplying system and patients’ preference, can affect guideline dissemination and implementation. It is suggested that establishing a national guidelines database, developing evaluation tools for guidelines that fit for Chinese clinical practice, and provision of guideline training, would facilitate the use of guidelines.