Evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of clinical practice guidelines

Abstract

The objectives of evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of clinical practice guidelines are:first, to evaluate the validity, reproducibility, reliability, and applicability of the guidelines prepared;second, to evaluate whether the preventive measures against fractures and osteoporosis taken by the application of the guidelines have become evidence-based, and whether the contents and methods of guidance and education for public health nurses and nutritionists, who perform fracture-control activities, have been improved;and, lastly, to evaluate whether the frequency of fracture has been reduced by the use of the guidelines. Designs for the effectiveness assessment include the randomized controlled trial, non-randomized controlled trial, and before-after trial. It is important to establish the effectiveness of the guidelines by incorporating one of these designs in the preventive measures.