Writing and Formatting Instructions for an Article-Length Guideline

Sample Article-Length Guideline

Examples of some components of an article-length guideline will be available through the links below, which will be coming soon.  Please use these examples as a guide, as the development of each guideline is a unique process.  For further instructions on formatting and submitting the guideline please refer to Instructions to Authors of CHEST.

Titling the Guideline

All ACCP guidelines must use the following subtitle for the main document and for each separately titled chapter within the main document:

ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines.

The word "guideline" can only be used in the title if the project is evidence-based. The phrase "Clinical Practice Guideline" can only be used in the title if the project is evidence-based.

I. Title Page

The title page should include the following: full title; full first and last names, highest academic degrees, and institutional affiliations for all authors; the institution at which the work was performed; corresponding author’s contact information, and disclosure of any financial support or author involvement with organization(s) with financial interest in the subject matter.

A. The Statement of the HSP Committee and the Disclaimer

II. Participants List

III. Abstract

Each article should be preceded by an abstract. The suggested components of this format are: Study Objectives; Design; Setting; Patients or Participants; Interventions; Measurements and Results; and Conclusions. Each component should start on a new line.

There are instances when a scientific abstract is not appropriate, however, a summary of the content within the chapter should be included in this section.

IV. Key Words

Please provide no fewer than 3, but no more than 10 key words that reflect the content of your manuscript. For guidance, consult the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms).

V. Abbreviations

On a separate sheet, please provide an alphabetical list of all abbreviations used in the paper, followed by their full definitions. Each abbreviation should be expanded at first mention in the text and noted parenthetically after expansion. To facilitate reader comprehension, please use abbreviations sparingly.

VI. The introduction

Provides an historical background of the topic, the incidence and prevalence rates, and an overall justification of the importance of the topic and why it was chosen. In this section, only strictly pertinent references should be included. Data, recommendations, a summary of recommendations, or conclusions from the guideline should not be listed in this section.

VII. Methodology

In this section the author should describe the following:

• how the panel was chosen;
• how the clinical questions were constructed;
• how the population was chosen;
• the inclusion and exclusion criteria;
• criteria for eligible articles including methodological criteria for each recommendation;
• results of the literature search;
• how the recommendations were graded;
• the strength of the evidence

Recommendations or a summary of recommendations will not be listed in this section.

VIII. The Discussion/Results/Recommendations

Discussions of the evidence should be organized in a logical progression, such that, for each research question, there is a summary of the background evidence building to a logical conclusion that for the recommendation.  The recommendation should be stated clearly and concisely.  All recommendations should be consecutively numbered throughout the section and formatted according to the parameters for formatting recommendations.

IX. Gaps in Research

Summarizes and highlights gap in existing literature and areas that the panel strongly feel additional study is needed, in addition to, known evidence that is not yet published.  Recommendations may be made to encourage research related to the guideline topic.

X. Conclusion

The conclusion is a short overview/summary of what was discussed in throughout the body of the chapter. Be sure not to mention anything that was not previously covered in the guideline. No recommendations will be listed in the conclusion.

XI. Summary of Recommendations

The summary of recommendations should be at the end of the chapter, prior to the references. Recommendations should be consistent across and within the guideline in terms of content and format, essentially they should be listed word for word.

XII. References

Authors are required to use a software application for managing references and citations, eg, EndNote, Reference Manager, or ProCite. All references should be handled in this manner, including citations in tables or figures. References should conform to Instructions to Authors of CHEST.

XIII. Conflict of Interest Forms (Download Forms)

Each member of the panel is required to sign a Conflict of Interest Form at each face-to-face meeting.  Any conflicts of interest will be listed in the guideline.

XIV. Author Agreement Forms (Download Forms)

This completed form must accompany each submission to the staff liaison. Each author must read and sign a copy of this form. Additionally, the corresponding author’s contact information should be provided in the appropriate area. This form may be reproduced, but all completed forms must be on file before the manuscript can appear in the journal.

XV. Tables/Figures/Illustrations/Photos

Please follow Instructions to Authors of CHEST for formatting and submission instructions.

XVI. Appendices/Evidence Tables

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