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How to appraise clinical guidelines

University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2QG

^* Correspondence

Aims and method We critically appraised clinical guidelines for the use of antidepressants, using an evidence-based approach.

Results We were unable to identify recent guidelines. The appraisal tool we used failed to identify some of the difficulties now apparent when considering the validity and utility of guidelines.

Clinical implications Critical appraisal tools are useful in providing a framework for assessing published material, but run the risk of blinding us with their simplicity.