title: South African Guidelines Excellence (SAGE): Efficient, effective and unbiased clinical practice guideline teams.
abstract: A range of different evidence-based methods for clinical practice guideline activities have been established, and there is common agreement in these that poorly conceived CPG team composition and management can jeopardise CPG integrity.  Recognised CPG initiatives therefore provide guidance on CPG team construction and management. In this editorial, we outline steps for effective, efficient and outcome-focused CPG team membership, roles and management: (i) determine responsibilities and tasks; (ii) identify 'experts' and their 'voices'; (iii) identify a CPG team leader; (iv) determine and declare conflicts of interest; (v) determine CPG team terms of reference; (vi) establish CPG timeframes and tailored capacity development; and (vii) establish consensus. Writing CPGs can be time-consuming and expensive.Efforts therefore need to be underpinned by efficient, respectful and agreed processes. Justifying CPG team membership, declaring conflicts of interest, identifying efficient ways of hearing constituent 'voices', defining and time-lining team tasks and roles, providing necessary training, and respecting individuals' efforts and time should ensure that CPG team members enjoy their experiences. This will contribute to growing CPG expertise in South Africa and beyond.
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Allied Health Evidence, City East Campus, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa. karen.grimmer@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grimmer
authors.forename: Janine Margarita
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dizon
authors.forename: Quinette
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Louw
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kredo
authors.forename: Taryn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Shingai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Machingaidze
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D013019:South Africa