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. Evidence-Based Medicine Center, 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

Expert consensus, as an important supplement to clinical practice guidelines, supports clinical decision-making when evidence is lacking or controversial. Compared to clinical practice guidelines, the presentation of expert consensus is more diverse. Currently, there are no reporting guidelines for expert consensus in clinical and public health decision-making. The RIGHT (Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare) checklist is the most commonly used international guideline reporting standard, and is often referred to when writing expert consensus. However, the RIGHT checklist does not include a section on consensus formation methods; while the ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document) checklist includes reporting requirements for consensus formation methods, but not for reporting recommendations. Therefore, this article integrates the RIGHT and ACCORD reporting checklists and proposes an integrated reporting framework (TIMER-DO) to help authors combine these two commonly used international reporting standards and complete the standardized reporting of expert consensus.

Citation： FAN Qinlin, YUAN Chi, JIN Yinghui, CHEN Yaolong, LI Sheyu. Standardized reporting of expert consensus statements: Based on the RIGHT and ACCORD checklists. Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2025, 32(7): 930-939. doi: 10.7507/1007-4848.202502049 Copy

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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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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.	陳耀龍, 楊克虎, 王小欽, 等. 中國制訂/修訂臨床診療指南的指導原則(2022版). 中華醫學雜志, 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.	中華醫學會雜志社指南與標準研究中心, 中國醫學科學院循證評價與指南研究創新單元(2021RU017), 世界衛生組織指南實施與知識轉化合作中心, 等. 2022年醫學期刊發表中國指南和共識的科學性、透明性和適用性的評級. 中華醫學雜志, 2023, 103(37): 2912-2920.Guidelines and Standards Research Center Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, Research Unit of Evidence-Based Evaluation and Guidelines (2021RU017), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, et al. Evaluation and ranking for scientific, transparent and applicable of Chinese guidelines and consensus published in the medical journals in 2022. Natl Med J China, 2023, 103(37): 2912-2920.
13.	王偉, 楊楠, 劉輝, 等. 2021年期刊發表中國泌尿外科疾病專家共識的科學性、透明性和適用性評價. 中國循證醫學雜志, 2023, 23(6): 702-707.Wang W, Yang N, Liu H, et al. Scientificity, transparency and applicability of Chinese consensuses on urological diseases published in 2021. Chin J Evid-Based Med, 2023, 23(6): 702-707.
14.	周英鳳, 杜世正, 張曉菊, 等. 2022年期刊發表的中國護理領域指南及共識的質量評價. 中華護理雜志, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.Zhou YF, Du SZ, Zhang XJ, et al. Evaluation of the quality of Chinese guidelines and expert consensuses on nursing published in 2022. Chin J Nurs, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.
15.	劉云蘭, 張靜怡, 史乾靈, 等. 2019年期刊公開發表的中國臨床實踐指南文獻調查與評價: 方法學質量和報告質量. 協和醫學雜志, 2022, 13(2): 324-331.Liu YL, Zhang JY, Shi QL, et al. Investigation and evaluation of Chinese clinical practice guidelines published in medical journals in 2019: Methodological 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, Maru?ic 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. Pract Assess Res Eval, 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.	李玉樂, 李娜, 林琳, 等. 我國醫學科技期刊編輯對臨床實踐指南/專家共識認知情況的調查研究. 中國科技期刊研究, 2023, 34(3): 297-304.Li YL, Li N, Lin L, et al. Cognition of editorial staff of medical scientific journals on clinical practice guidelines/expert consensus 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.	中華醫學會雜志社指南與標準研究中心, 世界衛生組織指南實施與知識轉化合作中心. 2020中華醫學會系列雜志發表指南評價報告. 中華醫學雜志, 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, 69(5): 723-731.
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.

1. 朱迪, 羅旭飛, 王子君, 等. 專家證據、專家意見及專家共識在指南制訂中的區別與聯系. 協和醫學雜志, 2024, 15(4): 936-941.Zhu D, Luo XF, Wang ZJ, et al. The differences and connections among expert evidence, expert opinion and expert consensus in the development of guidelines. Med J Peking Union Med Coll Hosp, 2024, 15(4): 936-941.
2. 趙世華. 科學認知臨床實踐指南和專家共識. 中華放射學雜志, 2021, 55(4): 340-342.Zhao SH. Scientific cognition of clinical practice guideline and expert consensus. Chin J Radiol, 2021, 55(4): 340-342.
3. 陳耀龍, 羅旭飛, 王吉耀, 等. 如何區分臨床實踐指南與專家共識. 協和醫學雜志, 2019, 10(4): 6.Chen YL, Luo XF, Wang JY, et al. How to distinguish between clinical practice guidelines and 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. 中華醫學會肝病學分會. 關于臨床實踐指南制訂的規范. 中華肝臟病雜志, 2015, 23(12): 881-887.Chinese Society of Hepatology, Chinese Medical Association. Chinese recommendations for clinical practice guideline development. 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. 陳耀龍, 楊克虎, 王小欽, 等. 中國制訂/修訂臨床診療指南的指導原則(2022版). 中華醫學雜志, 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. 中華醫學會雜志社指南與標準研究中心, 中國醫學科學院循證評價與指南研究創新單元(2021RU017), 世界衛生組織指南實施與知識轉化合作中心, 等. 2022年醫學期刊發表中國指南和共識的科學性、透明性和適用性的評級. 中華醫學雜志, 2023, 103(37): 2912-2920.Guidelines and Standards Research Center Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, Research Unit of Evidence-Based Evaluation and Guidelines (2021RU017), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, et al. Evaluation and ranking for scientific, transparent and applicable of Chinese guidelines and consensus published in the medical journals in 2022. Natl Med J China, 2023, 103(37): 2912-2920.
13. 王偉, 楊楠, 劉輝, 等. 2021年期刊發表中國泌尿外科疾病專家共識的科學性、透明性和適用性評價. 中國循證醫學雜志, 2023, 23(6): 702-707.Wang W, Yang N, Liu H, et al. Scientificity, transparency and applicability of Chinese consensuses on urological diseases published in 2021. Chin J Evid-Based Med, 2023, 23(6): 702-707.
14. 周英鳳, 杜世正, 張曉菊, 等. 2022年期刊發表的中國護理領域指南及共識的質量評價. 中華護理雜志, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.Zhou YF, Du SZ, Zhang XJ, et al. Evaluation of the quality of Chinese guidelines and expert consensuses on nursing published in 2022. Chin J Nurs, 2024, 59(20): 2538-2546.
15. 劉云蘭, 張靜怡, 史乾靈, 等. 2019年期刊公開發表的中國臨床實踐指南文獻調查與評價: 方法學質量和報告質量. 協和醫學雜志, 2022, 13(2): 324-331.Liu YL, Zhang JY, Shi QL, et al. Investigation and evaluation of Chinese clinical practice guidelines published in medical journals in 2019: Methodological 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, Maru?ic 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. Pract Assess Res Eval, 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. 李玉樂, 李娜, 林琳, 等. 我國醫學科技期刊編輯對臨床實踐指南/專家共識認知情況的調查研究. 中國科技期刊研究, 2023, 34(3): 297-304.Li YL, Li N, Lin L, et al. Cognition of editorial staff of medical scientific journals on clinical practice guidelines/expert consensus 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. 中華醫學會雜志社指南與標準研究中心, 世界衛生組織指南實施與知識轉化合作中心. 2020中華醫學會系列雜志發表指南評價報告. 中華醫學雜志, 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, 69(5): 723-731.
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.

Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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

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