Disseminating and implementing the guidelines
The multidisciplinary panel should identify any barriers to acceptance and implementation of the guidelines and work with members of target groups to develop ways of overcoming these barriers.
Guidelines should be presented in a format and style suitable for their target audience. Their cost should not constitute a barrier to access.
Strategies for dissemination and implementation will probably depend on the nature of the guidelines and the target audience. There are a number of possible strategies:
• compiling short summaries for use in professional or general publications or brochures, as posters, on the Internet, as audio or video tapes, or on disk;
• involving potential users in developing the guidelines;
• using the media, professional journals and the publications of other groups, such as consumer organisations, divisions of general practice, hospitals, area health services and universities;
• using the communication links developed by clinical colleges and other groups;
• asking respected clinical leaders to promote the guidelines;
• providing economic incentives;
• using the education processes of appropriate colleges and other groups;
• incorporating the guidelines in routine procedures, such as quality assurance, within relevant organisations;
• using information technology;
• arranging for a credible health provider to visit practitioners in the clinical setting;
• piloting the draft guidelines in order to facilitate their assessment;
• offering feedback on compliance with the guidelines;
• discussing the guidelines at conferences, seminars and other professional meetings; and
• using the services of a communications professional.
Dissemination of the guidelines alone will not change practitioners’ behaviour. Doctors and other clinicians are most likely to change their behaviour if they themselves are involved in the change process and if that process involves interventions that directly affect consultation between patient and practitioner.