Clinical Practice Guidelines: What Are They? Where Are They? How Good Are They?

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 343-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Renaud Smith ◽  
Ann Donze

PREVIOUS COLUMNS HAVE FOCUSED on utilizing evidence-based practice to incorporate the best evidence into clinical practice. This column builds upon that knowledge and describes a specific type of presynthesized evidence meant to guide and inform practice: clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Clinical practice guidelines have been in existence for years, and their development is based on the desire to move research into practice and promote consistency among practitioners.1 Clinical practice guidelines are tools for health care team members to use to enhance their knowledge and skill in integrating evidence into the clinical decision making process. This column defines CPGs and the significance they have in the practice setting and provides tools and resources necessary to locate, develop, and critically appraise them.

Author(s):  
Christoffer Bruun Korfitsen ◽  
Marie-Louise Kirkegaard Mikkelsen ◽  
Anja Ussing ◽  
Karen Christina Walker ◽  
Jeanett Friis Rohde ◽  
...  

The Danish Health Authority develops clinical practice guidelines to support clinical decision-making based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system and prioritizes using Cochrane reviews. The objective of this study was to explore the usefulness of Cochrane reviews as a source of evidence in the development of clinical recommendations. Evidence-based recommendations in guidelines published by the Danish Health Authority between 2014 and 2021 were reviewed. For each recommendation, it was noted if and how Cochrane reviews were utilized. In total, 374 evidence-based recommendations and 211 expert consensus recommendations were published between 2014 and 2021. Of the 374 evidence-based recommendations, 106 included evidence from Cochrane reviews. In 28 recommendations, all critical and important outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews. In 36 recommendations, a minimum of all critical outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews, but not all important outcomes. In 33 recommendations, some but not all critical outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews. Finally, in nine recommendations, some of the important outcomes included evidence from Cochrane reviews. In almost one-third of the evidence-based recommendations, Cochrane reviews were used to inform clinical recommendations. This evaluation should inform future evaluations of Cochrane review uptake in clinical practice guidelines concerning outcomes important for clinical decision-making.


RMD Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. e000790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Sulli ◽  
Rosaria Talarico ◽  
Carlo Alberto Scirè ◽  
Tadej Avcin ◽  
Marco Castori ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo report the effort of the European Reference Network for Rare and Complex CONnective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases NETwork working group on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related disorders to assess current available clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) specifically addressed to EDS, in order to identify potential clinician and patient unmet needs.MethodsSystematic literature search in PUBMED and EMBASE based on controlled terms (MeSH and Emtree) and keywords of the disease and publication type (CPGs). All the published articles were revised in order to identify existing CPGs on diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of EDS.ResultsLiterature revision detected the absence of papers reporting good quality CPGs to optimise EDS patient care. The current evidence-based literature regarding clinical guidelines for the EDS was limited in size and quality, and there is insufficient research exploring the clinical features and interventions, and clinical decision-making are currently based on theoretical and limited research evidences.ConclusionsMany clinician and patient unmet needs have been identified.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 2095-2110
Author(s):  
Ariel Izcovich ◽  
Adam Cuker ◽  
Robert Kunkle ◽  
Ignacio Neumann ◽  
Julie Panepinto ◽  
...  

Abstract Since November 2018, Blood Advances has published American Society of Hematology (ASH) clinical practice guidelines on venous thromboembolism, immune thrombocytopenia, and sickle cell disease. More ASH guidelines on these and other topics are forthcoming. These guidelines have been developed using consistent processes, methods, terminology, and presentation formats. In this article, we describe how patients, clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and others may use ASH guidelines and the many related derivates by describing how to interpret information and how to apply it to clinical decision-making. Also, by exploring how these documents are developed, we aim to clarify their limitations and possible inappropriate usage.


2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudio Rodrigues Leles ◽  
Maria do Carmo Matias Freire

A critical problem in the decision making process for dental prosthodontic treatment is the lack of reliable clinical parameters. This review discusses the limits of traditional normative treatment and presents guidelines for clinical decision making. There is a need to incorporate a sociodental approach to help determine patient's needs. Adoption of the evidence-based clinical practice model is also needed to assure safe and effective clinical practice in prosthetic dentistry.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
R Gholami ◽  
N Gimpaya ◽  
R Khan ◽  
M A Scaffidi ◽  
R Bansal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Clinical practice guidelines are evidence-based resources designed to inform clinical decision making. Often, superior evidence will support the inclusion of novel procedures and practices to replace older recommendations. Recommendation reversals occur when (a) superior quality evidence emerges to suggest the harm or non-beneficence of prior recommendations, and (b) that recommendation is not supplanted by a newer one. Aims The primary objective of this study was to describe the content, frequency and rationale for recommendation reversals in CPGs published by gastroenterological societies. Methods For this meta-epidemiologic study, we considered two criteria to define a recommendation reversal: (a) the more recent CPG makes a recommendation that contradicts a previously accepted practice; and (b) the prior recommendation is not replaced by any novel intervention. We searched CPGs published by 20 major GI societies from 1991- 2019. Guidelines were included if had at least two iterations with the same title and used a valid evidence rating system (such as GRADE). Explicit recommendations which reported definite levels of evidence and strength of recommendation were extracted. Results We identified 1022 clinical guidelines from GI societies over 28 years. 292 CPGs were included for data synthesis. 5985 explicit statements were extracted. 12 reversals were confirmed and are summarized in the Table. Six reversals (50.0%) occurred due to studies reporting non-beneficence and 3 (25.0%) occrred due to studies reporting harm. Three recommendations (25.0%) were reversed due to new clinical trials; 3 (25.0%) due to systematic reviews or meta-analyses; and 2 to conform with CPGs of other societies (16.7%). Conclusions We describe recommendation reversals made in gastroenterology CPGs, and the reasons thereof. Investigation of recommendation reversals allows for the identification of low-value medical practices. This reinforces the need for GI CPG committees to (1) iteratively review guidelines to re-evaluate recommendations made on low-quality evidence and; (2) refrain from making recommendations when evidence for the same is weak. Funding Agencies None


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Dmitriew ◽  
Robert Ohle

Abstract Background Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is an uncommon, life-threatening emergency that is frequently misdiagnosed. The 2020 Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis of AAS incorporate all available evidence into four key recommendations. In order to facilitate the implementation of these recommendations, a clinical decision aid was created. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators among physicians prior to implementation of the guideline recommendations in a multicentre step wedge cluster randomized control trial. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine emergency room physicians working at five sites distributed between urban academic and rural settings. We used purposive sampling, contacting physicians until data saturation was reached. Interview questions were designed to understand potential barriers and facilitators to guideline recommendation uptake and use. Responses were analysed according to the Theoretical Domains Framework, and overarching themes describing these barriers and facilitators were identified. Results Two themes and six subthemes encompassing 13 theoretical domains were identified. These included clinical decision-making support, awareness of the evidence, social factors, expected consequences, ability of physicians to acquire the necessary data and ease of use. A majority of interviewees anticipated that the guideline recommendations would support clinical decision making and more effectively risk-stratify patients. Other facilitators included endorsement of the guidelines by professional organizations and peers. Barriers to implementation include the fact that laboratory testing and knowledge of the rationale for its use in the investigation of AAS were not widespread. The complexity of the clinical decision aid and concerns about test specificity were also identified as potential barriers to use. Conclusion Physicians were amenable to using the AAS guideline recommendations to support clinical decision-making and to reduce resource use. A structured intervention should be developed to address the identified barriers and leverage the facilitators in order to ensure successful implementation. Our findings may have implications for the implementation of other guidelines used in emergency departments.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline M. Camacho ◽  
Steven M. Petak ◽  
Neil Binkley ◽  
Dima L. Diab ◽  
Leslie S. Eldeiry ◽  
...  

Objective: The development of these guidelines is sponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Board of Directors and American College of Endocrinology (ACE) Board of Trustees and adheres with published AACE protocols for the standardized production of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Methods: Recommendations are based on diligent reviews of the clinical evidence with transparent incorporation of subjective factors, according to established AACE/ACE guidelines for guidelines protocols. Results: The Executive Summary of this 2020 updated guideline contains 52 recommendations: 21 Grade A (40%), 24 Grade B (46%), 7 Grade C (14%), and no Grade D (0%). These detailed, evidence-based recommendations allow for nuance-based clinical decision-making that addresses multiple aspects of real-world care of patients. The evidence base presented in the subsequent Appendix provides relevant supporting information for the Executive Summary recommendations. This update contains 368 citations: 123 (33.5%) EL 1 (highest), 132 (36%) EL 2 (intermediate), 20 (5.5%) EL 3 (weak), and 93 (25%) EL 4 (lowest). New or updated topics in this CPG include: clarification of the diagnosis of osteoporosis, stratification of the patient according to high-risk and very high-risk features, a new dual action therapy option, and transitions from therapeutic options. Conclusion: This guideline is a practical tool for endocrinologists, physicians in general, regulatory bodies, health-related organizations, and interested laypersons regarding the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.


2021 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2021-322586
Author(s):  
Thomas Waterfield ◽  
Mark D Lyttle ◽  
Charlotte Munday ◽  
Steven Foster ◽  
Marc McNulty ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo report the performance of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) in the diagnosis of serious/invasive bacterial infections (SBI/IBI) in infants presenting with a fever to emergency care in the UK and Ireland. Two CPGs were from the National Institutes for Health and Care Excellence (NICE guidelines NG51 and NG143) and one was from the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC).DesignRetrospective multicentre cohort study.PatientsFebrile infants aged 90 days or less attending between the 31 August 2018 to 1 September 2019.Main outcome measuresThe sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of CPGs in identifying SBI and IBI.SettingSix paediatric Emergency Departments in the UK/Ireland.Results555 participants were included in the analysis. The median age was 53 days (IQR 32 to 70), 447 (81%) underwent blood testing and 421 (76%) received parenteral antibiotics. There were five participants with bacterial meningitis (1%), seven with bacteraemia (1%) and 66 (12%) with urinary tract infections. The NICE NG51 CPG was the most sensitive: 1.00 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.00). This was significantly more sensitive than NICE NG143: 0.91 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.96, p=0.0233) and BSAC: 0.82 (95% 0.72 to 0.90, p=0.0005). NICE NG51 was the least specific 0.0 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.01), and this was significantly lower than the NICE NG143: 0.09 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.12, p<0.0001) and BSAC: 0.14 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.17, p<0.0001).ConclusionNone of the studied CPGs demonstrated ideal performance characteristics. CPGs should be improved to guide initial clinical decision making.Trial registration numberNCT04196192.


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