scholarly journals Usefulness of Cochrane Reviews in Clinical Guideline Development—A Survey of 585 Recommendations

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.

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.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
German Patino ◽  
Medina Ndoye ◽  
Hannah S. Thomas ◽  
Andrew J. Cohen ◽  
Nnenaya A. Mmonu ◽  
...  

Objective Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) serve as frameworks to unify diagnostic criteria and guide clinical decision-making. There is a paucity of literature surrounding the uptake of CPGs in urology practice settings with varied levels of resources worldwide. This study aims to evaluate reported use of CPGs within the context of international urology practice, identify local barriers to uptake, and evaluate the role of stakeholders in the CPG-development process. Methods This was an international, multi-center, cross-sectional study. An online survey collecting variables pertaining to the use of CPGs was distributed to attending/consultant urologists in Latin America, Africa, and China. Statistical analysis was conducted using R software. Result A total of 249 practicing urologists from 28 countries completed the survey. The majority of participants were males, aged 36 to 45, and practiced in a non-academic setting. Ninety-three percent of urologists used CPGs in their everyday clinical practice, and 43% believed CPGs were very important to medical decision-making. However, barriers such as the lack of adaptability or applicability of CPGs to local settings were mentioned by 29% and 24% of participants, respectively. Urologists believed scientific associations (81%), national urology boards (68%), and ministries of health (56%), were important stakeholders to consult to foster the development of local CPGs. Conclusions Globally, CPGs are widely used tools for clinical practice. However, there are concerns about the adaptability and applicability of CPGs to settings that may lack the resources to implement their recommendations. Efforts should be directed towards incorporating scientific and medical stakeholders into the review and adaptation of urology CPGs to suit the unique features of local health care systems.


1970 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Chin-Yee BSc MA ◽  
Linda Richardson MD MA FCRPC

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have become ubiquitous in medicine, created to promote rational and standardized clinical decision-making. CPGs are often criticized for overlooking patient values and contexts, which many argue deserve a more explicit place in recommendations. This article explores the role of patient values and contexts in CPGs based on a critical discourse analysis of Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) Guidelines from 1992-2013. We highlight emerging discourses related to person-centred care in CDA guidelines during this period, which support an increasing emphasis on collaboration and shared decision-making, as well as consideration of patient values and contexts. We discuss possible reasons for this shift and the implications for practitioners. Despite this encouraging trend, our analysis also suggests areas for improvement, particularly concerning the integration of patient preferences in clinical decision making and research.


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.


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