21 October 2024
Clinical practice guidelines are recommendations for clinicians about the care of patients with specific conditions. They should be based upon the best available research evidence and practice experience (UpToDate 2022). Learn how to gather the evidence in this brief tutorial. Presented by Carolyn Van Leeuwarden, Instruction and Liaison Librarian.
The Institute of Medicine defines clinical practice guidelines as "statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care that are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options." (National Academy of Medicine 2011). Based on this definition, guidelines have two parts:
- The foundation is to perform a systematic search of existing relevant guidelines, research evidence, and systematic reviews bearing on a clinical question, focused on the strength of the evidence on which clinical decision-making for that condition is based.
- A set of recommendations, involving both the evidence and value judgments regarding benefits and harms of alternative care options, addressing how patients with that condition should be managed, everything else being equal. (UpToDate 2022).
Finding Guidelines
The most trustworthy guidelines can be recognized by adherence to best practices for guideline development identified by the National Academy of Medicine. Guidelines are required to meet specific criteria requiring a systematic review and an assessment of benefits and harms. The primary goal of any clinical practice guideline is to provide clear transparent guidance to practicing physicians regarding patient management based on the best available evidence.
Sources of Guidelines
Guidelines in McMaster Plus (Systematic guidelines)
National Health and Medical Research Council. Guidelines
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Guidance, NICE advice and quality standards
RACGP. Clinical guidelines
Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Clinical practice guidelines
TripPro. Clinical practice guidelines
HNELHD. Developing a HNE Health policy, procedure or guideline
HNELHD. Policies, procedures and guidelines (PPG) management
CIAP guidelines resources
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