Overcoming 10 roadblocks to initiating clinical practice guidelines.

Abstract

Canadian federal and provincial governments face relentless fiscal and societal pressures to reduce healthcare expenditures. A chief cause of this mounting stress is Canadians wanting to know how and why their healthcare dollars are being spent, as well as what evidence supports the use of new technology and alternative ways of treating specific medical conditions. One of the tools attracting attention and allowing this type of analysis is the clinical practice guideline. Physicians, who have come under increased scrutiny as the key players in health services delivery, are often asked to lead the clinical practice guideline process as project leaders. This article addresses some of the common roadblocks encountered as clinical practice guidelines are initiated, developed, and implemented in healthcare organizations.