Table 2.
Overview of the GUIDES checklist factors and how to evaluate questions
| Question | Strongly disagree | Disagree | Somewhat disagree | Undecided | Somewhat agree | Agree | Strongly agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domain 1: The CDS context | |||||||
| 1.1. CDS can achieve the planned quality objectives - Does CDS address the factors that explain the current behaviour of healthcare providers and patients? - Does the available evidence support the use of CDS for the given outcomes, tasks and settings? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 1.2 The quality of the patient data is sufficient - Is the structured patient data that is needed to achieve the CDS objective sufficiently accurate and complete to allow the use of CDS? - If necessary, can the quality of the data be improved or can the CDS itself improve the data quality? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 1.3 Stakeholders and users accept CDS - Is there a clear benefit to the users who will engage with the CDS? - Do the users and stakeholders have a positive attitude towards the use of CDS? - If necessary, is it possible to increase user and stakeholder acceptance? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 1.4 CDS can be added to the existing workload, workflows and systems - Is the required hardware available and what will the impact be of adding CDS to the existing information systems? - Is it feasible to introduce CDS, given the current workload and the usual work processes? - If necessary, can the workload or the work processes be changed or can the CDS system improve the workload or work processes? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| Domain 2: The CDS content | |||||||
| 2.1 The content provides trustworthy evidence-based information - Do the organisation(s) and people that developed the decision support have credibility? - Is the advice supported by up-to-date scientific evidence and is the type and quality of this evidence clear to the user? - Is the decision support clear on the benefits and harms of the different management options? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 2.2 The decision support is relevant and accurate - Does the decision support contain accurate information that is pertinent to the care of the patient? - Does the decision support address the information needs of the users? - Is it clear to the users why the decision support information is provided for a given patient? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 2.3 The decision support provides an appropriate call to action - Is the recommended action clear enough for the targeted users to act on? - Is the clinical importance and urgency of the recommended action sufficiently clear? - Is the advice applicable in the setting in which it will be implemented? - Is it clear how the recommended action fits with other current guidelines? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 2.4 The amount of decision support is manageable for the target user - Is the total amount of decision support manageable for the healthcare provider? - Is the amount of decision support per patient manageable? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| Domain 3: The CDS system | |||||||
| 3.1 The system is easy to use - Is it easy for users to interact with the CDS system? - Does the system facilitate (or, at least, not hinder) the workflow of the healthcare providers? - Can the system be customised to provide better user support - Is the system always up and running? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 3.2 The decision support is well delivered - Is the advice delivered in an appropriate mode, format and channel? - Is the display of the decision support eye-catching, intuitive, concise, consistent and unambiguous? - Is it appropriate to use specific functions (e.g. pop-ups, computerised restrictions, indications of (dis)agreement) for prioritised decision support? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 3.3 The system delivers the decision support to the right target person - Is the system reaching the targeted users (healthcare providers and/or patients)? - Is the system able to facilitate team processes when these are needed? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 3.4 The decision support is available at the right time - Does the system provide the decision support at a moment of need? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| Domain 4: The CDS implementation | |||||||
| 4.1 Information to users about the CDS and its functions is appropriate - Is the communication and documentation about the CDS appropriate? - Are help topics related to the functioning of the CDS system available to users? - If necessary, is user training available? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 4.2 Other barriers and facilitators to compliance with the decision support advice are assessed/addressed - Is there an assessment of the beliefs, attitudes and skills of the healthcare providers and patients that may affect adherence to the decision support advice? Are actions planned/taken accordingly? - Is there an assessment of the professional interactions affecting adherence to the recommended actions, and are actions planned/taken accordingly? - Is there an assessment of the (dis)incentives affecting the adherence of healthcare providers and patients to the decision support advice? Are necessary actions planned/taken? - Is there an assessment of the issues related to the capacity and resources needed to ensure adherence to the recommended actions? Are the necessary actions planned/taken? - Does the organisational context influence adherence to the decision support advice and what are actions planned/taken accordingly? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 4.3 Implementation is stepwise and the improvements in the CDS system are continuous - Is the implementation of the CDS stepwise? - Is a plan in place to collect user feedback and to monitor system usage, performance and outcomes? - Are malfunctions and other problems with use of the CDS quickly fixed? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |
| 4.4 Governance of the CDS implementation is appropriate - Are all the key stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of the system? - Is the CDS initiative governed in an efficient, sustainable and equitable way? |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ | □ |