Standardized reporting of expert consensus statements: Based on the RIGHT and ACCORD checklists_Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Authors：

FAN Qinlin ¹ , YUAN Chi ^1,2,3 , JIN Yinghui ⁴ , CHEN Yaolong ^5,6,7,8,9 ,  LI Sheyu ^1,3

1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;
2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;
3. MAGIC China Center, Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;
4. Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China;
5. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China;
6. School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China;
7. Institute of Health Data Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China;
8. WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China;
9. Research Unit of Evidence-based Evaluation and Guidelines, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China;

Corresponding author：

LI Sheyu, Email: lisheyu@gmail.com

Keywords：

Expert consensus; reporting guideline; RIGHT; ACCORD

DOI：

10.7507/1007-4848.202502049

Video：

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Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

[Abstract]Expert consensus serves as a crucial supplement to clinical practice guidelines, offering guidance when evidence is insufficient or controversial. However, it often suffers from low reporting quality, incomplete content, and lack of transparency in processes. Reporting guideline provides a standardized framework for medical research documentation by prescribing content requirements and structural formats. As reporting guidelines for different guideline documents, the RIGHT (Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare) checklist emphasizes evidence quality assessment and recommendation formulation, while the ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document) checklist focuses on standardizing consensus processes - each with distinct strengths and limitations. To address these gaps, this study proposes an integrated framework (TIMER-DO) to compensate for the deficiencies of individual checklists and enhance the reporting quality of consensus statements. Future efforts should develop consensus-specific methodological quality assessment tools, streamline and optimize reporting guideline, strengthen the dissemination and personnel training initiatives for consensus reporting standards, and enhance the global impact and recognition of consensus documents.

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4.	Holvoet T, Raevens S, Vandewynckel YP, et al. Systematic review of guidelines for management of intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and EvaluationⅡinstrument. Dig Liver Dis, 2015, 47(10): 877-883.
5.	Chen Y, Gao Y, Zhang J, et al. Quality and clinical applicability of recommendations for incontinence-associated dermatitis: A systematic review of guidelines and consensus statements. J Clin Nurs, 2023, 32(11-12): 2371-2382.
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11.	陈耀龙, 杨克虎, 王小钦, 等. 中国制订/修订临床诊疗指南的指导原则(2022版). 中华医学杂志, 2022, 102(10): 697-703.Chen YL, Yang KH, Wang XQ, et al. Guiding principles for the development/revision of clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines in China (2022 edition). Natl Med J China, 2022, 102(10): 697-703.
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14.	周英凤, 杜世正, 张晓菊, 等. 2022年期刊发表的中国护理领域指南及共识的质量评价. 中华护理杂志, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.Zhou YF, Du SZ, Zhang XJ, et al. Quality evaluation of guidelines and consensus in the field of nursing published in Chinese journals in 2022. Chin J Nurs, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.
15.	刘云兰, 张静怡, 史乾灵, 等. 2019年期刊公开发表的中国临床实践指南文献调查与评价: 方法学质量和报告质量. 协和医学杂志, 2022, 13(2): 324-331.Liu YL, Zhang JY, Shi QL, et al. Investigation and evaluation of Chinese clinical practice guidelines published in journals in 2019: Methodological quality and reporting quality. Med J Peking Union Med Coll Hosp, 2022, 13(2): 324-331.
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17.	Logullo P, van Zuuren EJ, Winchester CC, et al. ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) explanation and elaboration: Guidance and examples to support reporting consensus methods. PLoS Med, 2024, 21(5): e1004390.
18.	Chen Y, Yang K, Marušic A, et al. A Reporting Tool for Practice Guidelines in Health Care: The RIGHT Statement. Ann Intern Med, 2017, 166(2): 128-132.
19.	Gattrell WT, Logullo P, van Zuuren EJ, et al. ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document): A reporting guideline for consensus methods in biomedicine developed via a modified Delphi. PLoS Med, 2024, 21(1): e1004326.
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21.	AGREE Collaboration. Development and validation of an international appraisal instrument for assessing the quality of clinical practice guidelines: The AGREE project. Qual Saf Health Care, 2003, 12(1): 18-23.
22.	Nair R, Aggarwal R, Khanna D. Methods of formal consensus in classification/diagnostic criteria and guideline development. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 2011, 41: 95-105.
23.	Hsu CC, Sandford BA. The Delphi technique: Making sense of consensus. Practical assessment, research and evaluation, 2007, 12(10): 1-8.
24.	Fink A, Kosecoff J, Chassin M, et al. Consensus methods: Characteristics and guidelines for use. Am J Public Health, 1984, 74(9): 979-983.
25.	Chapple M, Murphy R. The nominal group technique: Extending the evaluation of students' teaching and learning experiences. Assess Eval High Educ, 1996, 21(2): 147-160.
26.	Murphy MK, Black NA, Lamping DL, et al. Consensus development methods, and their use in clinical guideline development. Health Technol Assess, 1998, 2(3): 1-88.
27.	李玉乐, 李娜, 林琳, 等. 我国医学科技期刊编辑对临床实践指南/专家共识认知情况的调查研究. 中国科技期刊研究, 2023, 34(3): 297-304.Li YL, Li N, Lin L, et al. Investigation on the cognition of clinical practice guidelines/expert consensus among editors of medical scientific journals in China. Chin J Sci Tech Period, 2023, 34(3): 297-304.
28.	Maes-Carballo M, García-García M, Martín-Díaz M, et al. A comprehensive systematic review of colorectal cancer screening clinical practices guidelines and consensus statements. Br J Cancer, 2023, 128(6): 946-957.
29.	Wang C, Luo X, Li M, et al. Reporting quality of clinical practice guidelines regarding gout and hyperuricemia according to the RIGHT checklist: systematic review. Syst Rev, 2021, 10(1): 99.
30.	Lotfi T, Itani MI, Howeiss P, et al. Practice guidelines on migrants' health: assessment of their quality and reporting. Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2020, 18(1): 125.
31.	Zhai Z, Li C, Chen Y, et al. Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism associated with coronavirus disease 2019 infection: A consensus statement before guidelines. Thromb Haemost, 2020, 120(6): 937-948.
32.	Lu Q, Long H, Chow S, et al. Guideline for the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. J Autoimmun, 2021, 123: 102707.
33.	Zhou L, Lu H, Song Z, et al. 2022 Chinese national clinical practice guideline on Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment. Chin Med J (Engl), 2024, 137(9): 1068.
34.	Zhang Z, Huang C, Jiang Q, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis in China (2019 edition). Ann Transl Med, 2020, 8(19): 1213.
35.	Zhang J, Zhang L, Li C, et al. Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of fragility fractures of the pelvis. Orthop Surg, 2023, 15(9): 2195-2212.
36.	Li P, Li Z, Linghu E, et al. Chinese national clinical practice guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of early gastric cancer. Chin Med J (Engl), 2024, 137(8): 887-908.
37.	中华医学会杂志社指南与标准研究中心, 世界卫生组织指南实施与知识转化合作中心. 2020中华医学会系列杂志发表指南评价报告. 中华医学杂志, 2021, 101(24): 1839-1847.Guideline and Standard Research Center of Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation. Evaluation report of guidelines published in Chinese Medical Association series journals in 2020. Natl Med J China, 2021, 101(24): 1839-1847.
38.	Gil-Sala D, De Backer J, Van Herzeele I, et al. A European Delphi consensus on the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with heritable aortic diseases. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg, 2025. [Epub ahead of print].
39.	National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The guidelines manual: Appendix l-abbreviations and glossary. 2018.
40.	Atkins D, Briss PA, Eccles M, et al. Systems for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendationsⅡ: Pilot study of a new system. BMC Health Serv Res, 2005, 5(1): 25.
41.	Wang JY, Wang Q, Wang XQ, et al. Development and preliminary verification of the evaluation system for clinical practice guidelines in China. Chronic Dis Transl Med, 2019, 6(2): 134-139.

1. 朱迪, 罗旭飞, 王子君, 等. 专家证据、专家意见及专家共识在指南制订中的区别与联系. 协和医学杂志, 2024, 15(4): 936-941.Zhu D, Luo XF, Wang ZJ, et al. Differences and connections between expert evidence, expert opinion, and expert consensus in guideline development. Med J Peking Union Med Coll Hosp, 2024, 15(4): 936-941.
2. 赵世华. 科学认知临床实践指南和专家共识. 中华放射学杂志, 2021, 55(4): 340-342.Zhao SH. Scientific understanding of clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus. Chin J Radiol, 2021, 55(4): 340-342.
3. 陈耀龙, 罗旭飞, 王吉耀, 等. 如何区分临床实践指南与专家共识. 协和医学杂志, 2019, 10(4): 6.Chen YL, Luo XF, Wang JY, et al. How to distinguish clinical practice guidelines from expert consensus. Med J Peking Union Med Coll Hosp, 2019, 10(4): 6.
4. Holvoet T, Raevens S, Vandewynckel YP, et al. Systematic review of guidelines for management of intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and EvaluationⅡinstrument. Dig Liver Dis, 2015, 47(10): 877-883.
5. Chen Y, Gao Y, Zhang J, et al. Quality and clinical applicability of recommendations for incontinence-associated dermatitis: A systematic review of guidelines and consensus statements. J Clin Nurs, 2023, 32(11-12): 2371-2382.
6. Levine GN, O'Gara PT, Beckman JA. Recent innovations, modifications, and evolution of ACC/AHA clinical practice guidelines: An update for our constituencies: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2019, 73: 1990-1998.
7. Oncology ASoC. ASCO guidelines methodology manual. (2022-11-25) [2025-02-01].
8. Loblaw DA, Prestrud AA, Somerfield MR, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guidelines: Formal systematic review-based consensus methodology. J Clin Oncol, 2012, 30: 3136-3140.
9. 中华医学会肝病学分会. 关于临床实践指南制订的规范. 中华肝脏病杂志, 2015, 23(12): 881-887.Chinese Society of Hepatology, Chinese Medical Association. Specifications for the development of clinical practice guidelines. Chin J Hepatol, 2015, 23(12): 881-887.
10. Ponce OJ, Alvarez-Villalobos N, Shah R, et al. What does expert opinion in guidelines mean? A meta-epidemiological study. Evid Based Med, 2017, 22(5): 164-169.
11. 陈耀龙, 杨克虎, 王小钦, 等. 中国制订/修订临床诊疗指南的指导原则(2022版). 中华医学杂志, 2022, 102(10): 697-703.Chen YL, Yang KH, Wang XQ, et al. Guiding principles for the development/revision of clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines in China (2022 edition). Natl Med J China, 2022, 102(10): 697-703.
12. 中华医学会杂志社指南与标准研究中心, 中国医学科学院循证评价与指南研究创新单元(2021RU017), 世界卫生组织指南实施与知识转化合作中心, 等. 2022年医学期刊发表中国指南和共识的科学性、透明性和适用性的评级. 中华医学杂志, 2023, 103(37): 2912-2920.Guideline and Standard Research Center of Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, Innovation Unit of Evidence-Based Evaluation and Guidelines Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU017), WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, et al. Evaluation of the scientificity, transparency, and applicability of Chinese guidelines and consensus published in medical journals in 2022. Natl Med J China, 2023, 103(37): 2912-2920.
13. 王伟, 杨楠, 刘辉, 等. 2021年期刊发表中国泌尿外科疾病专家共识的科学性、透明性和适用性评价. 中国循证医学杂志, 2023, 23(6): 702-707.Wang W, Yang N, Liu H, et al. Evaluation of the scientificity, transparency, and applicability of Chinese expert consensus on urological diseases published in journals in 2021. Chin J Evid-Based Med, 2023, 23(6): 702-707.
14. 周英凤, 杜世正, 张晓菊, 等. 2022年期刊发表的中国护理领域指南及共识的质量评价. 中华护理杂志, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.Zhou YF, Du SZ, Zhang XJ, et al. Quality evaluation of guidelines and consensus in the field of nursing published in Chinese journals in 2022. Chin J Nurs, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.
15. 刘云兰, 张静怡, 史乾灵, 等. 2019年期刊公开发表的中国临床实践指南文献调查与评价: 方法学质量和报告质量. 协和医学杂志, 2022, 13(2): 324-331.Liu YL, Zhang JY, Shi QL, et al. Investigation and evaluation of Chinese clinical practice guidelines published in journals in 2019: Methodological quality and reporting quality. Med J Peking Union Med Coll Hosp, 2022, 13(2): 324-331.
16. Equator Network. What is a reporting guideline? (2022-11-25) [2025-02-01].
17. Logullo P, van Zuuren EJ, Winchester CC, et al. ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) explanation and elaboration: Guidance and examples to support reporting consensus methods. PLoS Med, 2024, 21(5): e1004390.
18. Chen Y, Yang K, Marušic A, et al. A Reporting Tool for Practice Guidelines in Health Care: The RIGHT Statement. Ann Intern Med, 2017, 166(2): 128-132.
19. Gattrell WT, Logullo P, van Zuuren EJ, et al. ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document): A reporting guideline for consensus methods in biomedicine developed via a modified Delphi. PLoS Med, 2024, 21(1): e1004326.
20. Moher D, Schulz KF, Simera I, et al. Guidance for developers of health research reporting guidelines. PLoS Med, 2010, 7(2): e1000217.
21. AGREE Collaboration. Development and validation of an international appraisal instrument for assessing the quality of clinical practice guidelines: The AGREE project. Qual Saf Health Care, 2003, 12(1): 18-23.
22. Nair R, Aggarwal R, Khanna D. Methods of formal consensus in classification/diagnostic criteria and guideline development. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 2011, 41: 95-105.
23. Hsu CC, Sandford BA. The Delphi technique: Making sense of consensus. Practical assessment, research and evaluation, 2007, 12(10): 1-8.
24. Fink A, Kosecoff J, Chassin M, et al. Consensus methods: Characteristics and guidelines for use. Am J Public Health, 1984, 74(9): 979-983.
25. Chapple M, Murphy R. The nominal group technique: Extending the evaluation of students' teaching and learning experiences. Assess Eval High Educ, 1996, 21(2): 147-160.
26. Murphy MK, Black NA, Lamping DL, et al. Consensus development methods, and their use in clinical guideline development. Health Technol Assess, 1998, 2(3): 1-88.
27. 李玉乐, 李娜, 林琳, 等. 我国医学科技期刊编辑对临床实践指南/专家共识认知情况的调查研究. 中国科技期刊研究, 2023, 34(3): 297-304.Li YL, Li N, Lin L, et al. Investigation on the cognition of clinical practice guidelines/expert consensus among editors of medical scientific journals in China. Chin J Sci Tech Period, 2023, 34(3): 297-304.
28. Maes-Carballo M, García-García M, Martín-Díaz M, et al. A comprehensive systematic review of colorectal cancer screening clinical practices guidelines and consensus statements. Br J Cancer, 2023, 128(6): 946-957.
29. Wang C, Luo X, Li M, et al. Reporting quality of clinical practice guidelines regarding gout and hyperuricemia according to the RIGHT checklist: systematic review. Syst Rev, 2021, 10(1): 99.
30. Lotfi T, Itani MI, Howeiss P, et al. Practice guidelines on migrants' health: assessment of their quality and reporting. Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2020, 18(1): 125.
31. Zhai Z, Li C, Chen Y, et al. Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism associated with coronavirus disease 2019 infection: A consensus statement before guidelines. Thromb Haemost, 2020, 120(6): 937-948.
32. Lu Q, Long H, Chow S, et al. Guideline for the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. J Autoimmun, 2021, 123: 102707.
33. Zhou L, Lu H, Song Z, et al. 2022 Chinese national clinical practice guideline on Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment. Chin Med J (Engl), 2024, 137(9): 1068.
34. Zhang Z, Huang C, Jiang Q, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis in China (2019 edition). Ann Transl Med, 2020, 8(19): 1213.
35. Zhang J, Zhang L, Li C, et al. Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of fragility fractures of the pelvis. Orthop Surg, 2023, 15(9): 2195-2212.
36. Li P, Li Z, Linghu E, et al. Chinese national clinical practice guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of early gastric cancer. Chin Med J (Engl), 2024, 137(8): 887-908.
37. 中华医学会杂志社指南与标准研究中心, 世界卫生组织指南实施与知识转化合作中心. 2020中华医学会系列杂志发表指南评价报告. 中华医学杂志, 2021, 101(24): 1839-1847.Guideline and Standard Research Center of Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation. Evaluation report of guidelines published in Chinese Medical Association series journals in 2020. Natl Med J China, 2021, 101(24): 1839-1847.
38. Gil-Sala D, De Backer J, Van Herzeele I, et al. A European Delphi consensus on the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with heritable aortic diseases. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg, 2025. [Epub ahead of print].
39. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The guidelines manual: Appendix l-abbreviations and glossary. 2018.
40. Atkins D, Briss PA, Eccles M, et al. Systems for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendationsⅡ: Pilot study of a new system. BMC Health Serv Res, 2005, 5(1): 25.
41. Wang JY, Wang Q, Wang XQ, et al. Development and preliminary verification of the evaluation system for clinical practice guidelines in China. Chronic Dis Transl Med, 2019, 6(2): 134-139.

Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Latest ArticlesStandardized reporting of expert consensus statements: Based on the RIGHT and ACCORD checklists

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