Related Experiment Videos
[Guidelines in general practice--are they read and are they used?]
Shaun Treweek1, Signe Flottorp, Atle Fretheim
1Avdeling for informerte helsebeslutninger, Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter for helsetjenesten, Postboks 7004 St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo.
Summary
Clinical practice guidelines vary widely in their use among Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) and assistants. Effective implementation strategies are crucial for guideline adherence beyond evidence-based content.
Area of Science:
- Medical Practice
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Healthcare Quality
Context:
- Many clinical practice guidelines lack systematic development and high-quality evidence.
- Guideline existence does not guarantee practice change or utilization.
Purpose:
- To assess the awareness and utilization of clinical practice guidelines among Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) and GP assistants.
- To identify factors influencing guideline adherence in primary care settings.
Summary:
- A survey of 1500 Norwegian GPs and assistants revealed significant variation in guideline knowledge and use.
- Awareness was low for some official guidelines, but specific programs like the diabetes treatment program and laboratory quality assurance program showed higher adoption rates.
Impact:
- Highlights the gap between guideline development and actual clinical practice.
- Underscores the need for effective implementation strategies to improve guideline adherence and healthcare quality.