Results (
Thai) 2:
[Copy]Copied!
This chapter describes the general steps involved in developing guidelines. The steps are consistent with the principles discussed in Chapter 2. The process of developing guidelines should run in tandem with formulating a strategy for their dissemination and implementation and a plan for their evaluation and revision. Chapter 4 deals with dissemination and implementation and Chapter 5 deals with evaluation and revision.
It is important that guideline developers consider, at the beginning of the guideline development process, what data will be needed. Data collection, storage and retrieval must have due regard for principles of privacy and confidentiality and should take into account matters associated with data ownership.
It should be noted that the sequence of steps detailed in this chapter is intended as a guide rather than a prescription for developing guidelines. Context may require that the steps be taken in an order that differs from what is described here. In addition, some early steps may be revisited at later stages in the process. Appendix C illustrates the process of developing, disseminating, implementing, evaluating and revising clinical practice guidelines.
3.1 Determining the need for and scope of guidelines
The body responsible for developing the guidelines should specify the problem or objective and define what is involved in general terms. When selecting topics there must be a clear problem that may well be resolved by the establishment and dissemination of guidelines on what is the most appropriate practice. The problem could relate to the extent of the health burden, cost, variations in practice, or the availability of evidence.
Clinical practice guidelines are appropriate only if the problem or objective is related to clinical decision making or decisions about the organisation of health services. Guidelines may be developed, for instance, in response to an identified variation in treatment among practitioners for the same condition. If this variation is caused by lack of knowledge or information, the development of evidence- based guidelines is an appropriate response. But variations in clinical practice may be based on patients’ needs and sound evidence: such ‘legitimate variation’ can result from variations in morbidity rates and variations in consumer preferences for different outcomes (Anderson & Mooney 1990, McPherson 1990). Guidelines may not be necessary in such situations. Nor are they an appropriate response to variations caused by unreliable data sources and random variations in data. Furthermore, guidelines may not be needed if practice variations are a consequence solely of resources or supply constraints (beds, technology, facilities, specialists, and so on) or if clinical decisions are based on sound evidence.
Being translated, please wait..
