Table 2.

Benefits of end-to-end electronic platforms or combinations of complementary tools for guideline development and updating

Benefits	Specific comments
Streamlined process resulting in increased efficiency and consistency during evidence retrieval and systematic review	Online platform fosters collaboration in the review team, enabling pooling of efforts for literature review. Uniform data extraction and reporting forms (i.e., data summary tables, evidence profiles) assure consistent data collection and presentation.
Increased transparency in evidence selection	Ability to track and document decision making at every step from document selection, literature review (including reasons for rejection of specific studies), and evidence appraisal; permits automatic generation of PRISMA diagrams.
Increased quality control during systematic review	Potential discrepancies between extractions performed by dual readers and differing opinions on study selection or evidence evaluation can be readily identified for adjudication and reconciliation.
Automation expands scale and ability to maintain currency	Electronic functions enable searching numerous databases in addition to Medline (e.g., Conference Abstracts, Cochrane systematic reviews). New articles are identified and added via a dynamic process at more frequent intervals, hence the potential for quicker or continuous updates.
Centralized content repository and rigorous library management system for evidence retrieval	Central online repository contains all full-text articles reviewed for guideline development and other information relevant for guideline statements (e.g., data from trials, information or warnings from postmarket surveillance, drug recalls, etc.). Multiple publications from a given trial can be properly coded and linked, minimizing confusion and the risk of misclassifying multiple reports as separate trials.
Digitization facilitates evidence surveillance and guideline updating	Data digitization allows updating of systematic reviews with greater ease and informs assessment on how new evidence impacts current recommendations. Priority of clinical questions, search filters, and PICO parameters can be calibrated to match the thresholds for decisions on guideline updating.
Transparency in grading	Use of explicit grading system and linkage between recommendations and supporting evidence provide transparency.
Efficiency in guideline writing	Guideline authoring tool supports authoring, reviewing, and updating of guideline text.
Enhanced implementation and uptake by clinicians and patients at point of care	Electronic guideline platform can link guideline content and decision support tools with electronic health records.

PICO, population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes; PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.