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The mission of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is to innovate, educate, and collaborate to improve patient care. A critical element in meeting this mission is the publishing of trustworthy and current guidelines for the practicing surgeon. In this manuscript, we outline the steps of developing high quality practice guidelines using a completely volunteer-based professional organization. SAGES has developed a standardized approach to train volunteer surgeons and trainees alike to develop clinically pertinent guidelines in a timely manner, without sacrificing quality. This methodology can be used more widely by volunteer organizations to efficiently develop effective tools for practicing physicians.

The mission of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is to innovate, educate, and collaborate to improve patient care. A critical element in meeting this mission is the publishing of trustworthy and current guidelines for the practicing surgeon.In this manuscript, we outline the steps of developing high quality practice guidelines using a completely volunteer-based professional organization.SAGES has developed a standardized approach to train volunteer surgeons and trainees alike to develop clinically pertinent guidelines in a timely manner, without sacrificing quality.This methodology can be used more widely by volunteer organizations to efficiently develop effective tools for practicing physicians.

SUMMARY This paper explores the online learning experience of seven students in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University. In a class entitled Metadata for Internet Resources, the students developed a distance learning relationship with professional catalogers. Student assignments included posting bibliographic records on the WebBoard™ for mentor input. In an online exchange, the mentors responded by posting their suggestions for improving student records. The interaction between students and mentors is discussed, as is the educational value of distance learning.