The Consensus Conference and technical report series

Abstract

Background: In the continuing struggle to improve the quality of health care, it is necessary to have methods to identify the best evidence, and, once identified, to make it have an impact. Methods: A survey of the different methods to review evidence, and the impact of different modes of dissemination, based partly on review articles, partly on primary research. Results: Methods of reviewing evidence may be based on written material (or on the net), like review articles, The Cochrane Collaboration, Health Technology Assessments (HTAs), or may be based on scientific meetings, like consensus conferences or expert meetings. Efforts like these often result in national or local guidelines. The implementation of clinical practice guidelines may be very difficult. Factors that influence this implementation are mode of dissemination, qualities of the guidelines, motivation of health care professionals, environmental and patient factors. Conclusions: Development and implementation of clinical guidelines are complicated processes. The success of clinical guidelines depends on several factors, which may differ in different settings.