Definition: A systematic statement of policy rules or principles. Guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by convening expert panels. The text may be cursive or in outline form but is generally a comprehensive guide to problems and approaches in any field of activity. For guidelines in the field of health care and clinical medicine, PRACTICE GUIDELINES AS TOPIC is available.
for general design, methodology, economics, etc of guidelines unrelated to healthcare; a different heading GUIDELINE is used for reports of a specific guideline
ExamplesCodes of Ethics; Practice Guidelines as Topic
