MedicalGuideline

MedicalGuideline is a MedicalEntity subtype for a clinical practice guideline: a dosing protocol, a screening recommendation, a treatment pathway, a contraindication warning. It adds 4 properties: evidenceLevel, evidenceOrigin, guidelineDate, guidelineSubject.

Direct subtypes are MedicalGuidelineRecommendation (affirmative recommendations) and MedicalGuidelineContraindication (things to avoid). Always pick the more specific subtype when the guideline is clearly positive or negative in direction.

Full example of schema.org/MedicalGuideline json-ld markup

The markup is verified as valid with Rich Results Test from Google.

Highlight legend:Required by GoogleRecommendedOptional

schema.org/MedicalGuideline

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "MedicalGuideline",
  "name": "First-line antibiotic for uncomplicated UTI in adult females",
  "description": "Recommended first-line antibiotic selection for uncomplicated urinary tract infection in non-pregnant adult females.",
  "evidenceLevel": "https://schema.org/EvidenceLevelA",
  "evidenceOrigin": "IDSA 2024 UTI guideline; Cochrane Review 2023",
  "guidelineDate": "2026-04-01",
  "guidelineSubject": { "@type": "MedicalCondition", "name": "Uncomplicated urinary tract infection" },
  "recognizingAuthority": { "@type": "MedicalOrganization", "name": "Xoo Code Medical Reference" }
}
</script>

MedicalEvidenceLevel enum

schema.org/MedicalEvidenceLevel has three members: EvidenceLevelA (strongest), EvidenceLevelB, EvidenceLevelC (weakest). These broadly map to the GRADE hierarchy. Cite the source (evidenceOrigin) with a reference to the systematic review or guideline body that set the level.

Minimal valid version

The smallest markup that still produces a valid MedicalGuideline entity. Use it as the floor. Reach for the advanced example above when you want search engines and AI agents to understand more about your content.

schema.org/MedicalGuideline (minimal)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "MedicalGuideline",
  "name": "First-line antibiotic for uncomplicated UTI",
  "evidenceLevel": "https://schema.org/EvidenceLevelA",
  "guidelineDate": "2026-04-01"
}
</script>

Google rich results this unlocks

Markup matching this example makes your page eligible for the following Google Search rich results. The primary target drives the required / recommended property classification in the advanced code block above.

No dedicated rich result (used by medical knowledge graphs)
Google docs

Common MedicalGuideline mistakes

Mistakes that pass validation but silently fail to earn rich results or mislead consumers walking the graph. Avoid these and your markup will be ahead of most sites in the wild.

01
evidenceLevel as free text
Wrong
```
"evidenceLevel": "High" or "Strong"
```
Right
```
"evidenceLevel": "https://schema.org/EvidenceLevelA"
```
evidenceLevel expects a MedicalEvidenceLevel enum (A/B/C). Free text is dropped. GRADE-to-schema mapping: A=high/moderate, B=low, C=very low.
02
Omitting evidenceOrigin
Wrong
```
MedicalGuideline with an evidenceLevel but no cited source
```
Right
```
Populate evidenceOrigin with the systematic review or guideline-body citation
```
Citing an evidence level without citing the source invites skepticism. evidenceOrigin is the attribution.

Schema properties in this example

MedicalGuideline MedicalEntity name description evidenceLevel MedicalEvidenceLevel EvidenceLevelA EvidenceLevelB EvidenceLevelC evidenceOrigin guidelineDate guidelineSubject MedicalCondition recognizingAuthority MedicalOrganization MedicalGuidelineRecommendation MedicalGuidelineContraindication

About the example data

A fictional Xoo Code Medical reference guideline on antibiotic stewardship for uncomplicated UTIs, reviewed April 2026.

Comments

Loading comments...