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Table 12 Recommendations for the design of Clinical Practice Guideline websites based on our findings and literature review

From: Effective web-based clinical practice guidelines resources: recommendations from a mixed methods usability study

Recommendation

Rationale/Description

During website design:

 Provide different versions (e.g. interactive tools, static tools, quick reference guide, full chapter) of guideline content on the website.

Different versions facilitate task completion (e.g. answering a clinical question at the point-of-care) and fulfill different purposes (clinical care vs self-study)

 Emphasize visual content (e.g. tables, algorithms)

Visual content speeds up information delivery.

 Offer multiple navigation options (e.g. left-sided navigation bar, quick buttons on home page, search function).

Users appreciate having multiple methods to get to the desired information. Navigation bar, quick buttons on the home page and a robust search function enables more efficient use.

 Use intuitive grouping of resources, and avoid long lists of links under broad headings

Using categories that mimic a user’s needs (e.g. management) facilitates resource location and minimizes user search fatigue.

After website design (iterative refinement):

 Conduct usability testing of the guideline website and its subcomponents (including algorithm testing)

Usability testing and iterative refinement optimizes task completion, user satisfaction and guideline uptake, and ensures accurate information delivery.