Extending the Reporting Items of Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) statement for reporting Chinese patent medicine guidelines: a protocol

Abstract

Background: Based on the main document of the Reporting Items of Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) statement, this study will aim to develop the reporting checklist applicable to the guidelines of Chinese patent medicine (CPM). Methods: According to the methodology recommended by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) network, three well-defined working groups were established, namely the coordination team, the advisory group, and the Delphi panel. The coordination team conducted a literature analysis of the already published CPM guidelines, the extensions of the RIGHT statement, and CPM related reporting specifications to initially form an initial item pool. The Delphi panel of multidisciplinary backgrounds will conduct two rounds of Delphi questionnaires to identify an extension item for RIGHT for CPM. These questionnaires will be sent to each Delphi panel member via email, and each member will independently fill out and provide comments within 10 working days of receiving the questionnaire. Finally, feedback will be provided to the coordination team and the post efficacy assessment of the already published clinical practice guidelines for CPM to determine the final items for RIGHT for CPM checklist. Dissemination: The extended version of the RIGHT for CPM checklist will be published in a peer reviewed journal. Conclusion: We hope that the upcoming RIGHT for CPM checklist provides detailed guidance for developers and users of CPM guidelines, further improving the quality of reports, and promoting the effective dissemination and implementation of CPM guidelines.