STAR Guideline Terminology(Ⅱ): Clinical Question Formulation, Evidence Retrieval and Appraisal, and Recommendation Development

Di ZHU; Haodong LI; Zijun WANG; Qianling SHI; Hui LIU; Yishan QIN; Yuanyuan YAO; Zhewei LI; Hongfeng HE; Jinhui TIAN; Long GE; Yaolong CHEN

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STAR Guideline Terminology(Ⅱ): Clinical Question Formulation, Evidence Retrieval and Appraisal, and Recommendation Development

VernacularTitle:STAR指南术语体系(二): 临床问题确定、证据检索与评价、推荐意见形成
Author: Di ZHU ¹ ; Haodong LI ¹ ; Zijun WANG ² ; Qianling SHI ³ ; Hui LIU ² ; Yishan QIN ² ; Yuanyuan YAO ² ; Zhewei LI ¹ ; Hongfeng HE ¹ ; Jinhui TIAN ² ; Long GE ^{1
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4} ; Yaolong CHEN ^{1
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Author Information

1. School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
2. Evidence-based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
3. The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
4. Key Laboratory of Evidence-based Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730000, China
5. Institute of Health Data Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
6. Research Unit of Evidence-based Evaluation and Guidelines, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
7. Guidelines and Standards Research Center, Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, Lanzhou 730000, China
8. WHO Collaborating Center for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou 730000, China
Collective Name:METHODOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY SPECIALISATION COMMITTEE OF THE STAR WORKING GROUP
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: guidelines; terminology; standardization; Scientific, Transparent and Applicable Rankings
From: Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):756-764
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective
To introduce and analyze guideline terminology related to clinical question formulation, evidence retrieval and appraisal, and recommendation development.
Methods
A systematic search was conducted in guideline development manuals and relevant methodological literature, covering publications up to October 25, 2024. Terminology related to the three aforementioned stages of related to guideline development was extracted from the included literature, standardized, and refined through consensus meetings to finalize a comprehensive terminology list and definitions.
Results
A total of 30 guideline development manuals and 15 methodological articles were included, and 23 core terms were identified.
Conclusions
It is recommended to develop a standardized and scientifically sound guideline terminology system with unified naming, clear definitions, and alignment with the linguistic environment and usage habits in China. At the same time, it is essential to strengthen terminology training for both guideline developers and users based on this system, in order to deepen their correct understanding and proper application of guideline terminology.