Evidence-based guidelines: response to professor Gordon Parker's critique.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the development of the 'Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of depression' and to discuss the critique of these guidelines.


METHODS
Consideration of international practice in evidence-based medicine and rebuttal of criticisms.


RESULTS
We agree with Professor Gordon Parker on fundamental issues in the treatment of depression. His main criticisms reflect his concerns about the classification of depression. We consider that many of his detailed criticisms reflect a difference of opinion on how data should be evaluated or interpreted.


CONCLUSIONS
The guideline for the treatment of depression makes sound recommendations, in agreement with comparable guidelines from the US and the UK.
Ellis
Pete M
PM
Department of Psychological Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington South, New Zealand. Ellis@wnmeds.ac.nz
Hickie
Ian B
IB
Smith
Don A R
DA
D001315:Australia; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards