title: Clinical guidelines.
abstract: This article is part of the Advancing practice series which is aimed at exploring practice issues in more depth, considering topics that are frequently encountered and facilitating the development of new insights. Elaine Uppal focuses on the importance of all midwives developing guideline writing skills to ensure that local, national and international midwifery/maternity guidelines are up to date, relevant and reflect midwifery knowledge alongside 'gold' standard evidence. The article aims to consider the development, use and critical appraisal of clinical guidelines. It will define and explain guidelines; discuss their development and dissemination; and consider issues relating to their use in practice. Techniques to critique and develop guidelines using the AGREE tool will be outlined in the form of practice challenges to be undertaken by the individual or in a group.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uppal
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy