Writing and Formatting Instructions
for a Multi Chapter Guideline
The format of a multi chapter guideline is used when there are
several major topic related to the clinical issues, each of which
requires it's own content chapter. Each chapter found with in should
be written such so that it can stand alone as a set of recommendation(s).
In this instance, editors and group leaders can be appointed
by the Chair to lead the development of each chapter. Group leaders
should decide on the style they would like to adapt for directing
their group:
Editor role: coordination
of writers/reviewers, and assigning
subtopics to various individuals.
or
Lead author role: using others as reviewers
with authorship rights.
The writing committees and content topics should be identified
before the evidence review commences. Chapter outlines, and
writing assignments should be in place prior to the completion
of the evidence reviews.
The following is the outline
for a multi chapter practice guideline:
Examples of the multi-chapter guideline components are available
through the links within the outline. Please use these examples
as a guide, as the development of each guideline is a unique process.
For more specific formatting instructions please see the 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.
I. Table of contents (Example)
II. Participants List (Example)
III. Executive Summary 
Executive summaries are only found in multi chapter guidelines.
The executive summary essentially provides an overview of the entire
document. It can include but is not limited to, the reason for
pursuing the topic, the level of collaboration with outside organizations,
any endorsements from outside organizations, and a summary of 3
to 5 of the key recommendations. The Executive Summary should be
no more than 3 to 5 pages long.
IV. Introductory Chapter (Example)
The introductory chapter 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 chapter.
V. Methodology Chapter (Example)
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. However,
all other components of a content chapter should be included
in this chapter.
VI. Content Chapters (Example)
All chapter titles should be written such that they could serve
as stand alone documents. Be certain that the title clearly indicates
the topic, for instance, Palliative Care
for the Lung Cancer Patient, rather than simply Palliative
Care. Chapters should be constructed around the predefined
research questions offering discussions and recommendations for
each clinical topic. Clicking on the content chapters link above
will access an example of a content chapter. All components of
a content chapter can be found within that link.
- Title
Page
- Introduction
- Abstract
- Key
Words
- Abbreviations
- Discussion/Results/Recommendations
- Gaps
in Research
- Conclusion
- Summary
of Recommendations
- References
- Tables/Figures/Illustrations/Photos
- Appendices/Evidence
Tables
- Conflict
of Interest Forms
- Author
Agreement Forms
VII. Conclusion Chapter
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