Contextualization of guidelines: Experiences in Cyprus following collaboration with UK NICE

Abstract This presentation delves into Cyprus's journey of contextualizing evidence-based guidelines through its collaboration with the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). As a small country undergoing major health system reforms, Cyprus recognized the value of implementing high-quality international guidelines. However, direct implementation without adaptation proved challenging. Through this collaboration, Cyprus undertook the adaptation of six NICE guidelines, with a focus on ensuring that recommendations were relevant, feasible, and appropriate for the local healthcare context. The presentation will share practical experiences, including: the methodological approach used to adapt and contextualize NICE guidelines; key challenges encountered, such as differences in health system capacity, data availability, clinical practice, and stakeholder engagement; the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and local expert input; the role of guideline contextualization in strengthening national policy and improving care quality; and lessons for other small or transitioning health systems seeking to localize global evidence. This case study will highlight how strategic partnerships and careful adaptation can bridge the gap between global best practices and national realities, ensuring that guidelines are not only evidence-based, but also actionable in other European settings.