Practice guidelines: a piece of the quality puzzle

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Medical Informatics
• Information Science

Background:

• The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) sponsored panels to develop practice guidelines.
• Early support for these panels was crucial for evidence-based medicine development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolving role of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in supporting practice guideline development.
• To highlight NLM's transition from direct support to a consulting and networking function.

Main Methods:

• Document analysis of NLM's involvement with AHCPR-sponsored panels.
• Review of NLM's services including literature searches, document delivery, and database preparation.
• Observation of NLM's shift to a consulting role and facilitation of network connections.

Main Results:

• NLM initially provided direct support, including literature searches and bibliographic databases for the first thirteen panels.
• NLM's role evolved to a consulting capacity, connecting panels with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine.
• NLM staff developed key documents to aid in the creation and distribution of practice guidelines.

Conclusions:

• The National Library of Medicine has adapted its support model for health care policy panels.
• NLM's strategic shift enhances the dissemination and utilization of practice guidelines through broader network engagement.