Learn how to use clinical guidelines to work better with physicians. Find, evaluate, use, and update evidence-based recommendations to improve communication, collaboration, and confidence.

Standardized Care: Clinical guidelines offer evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various conditions. This promotes consistency in care, reducing unwarranted variations in physician practices. Improved Patient Outcomes: By following guidelines that reflect best practices, physicians can potentially improve patient outcomes and reduce complications. Shared Decision-Making: Guidelines can be a starting point for discussions between patients and physicians. Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Guidelines can help optimize resource allocation and reduce unnecessary testing or procedures.

How do you use clinical guidelines to work better with physicians?

Clinical guidelines are evidence-based recommendations that help health professionals provide high-quality and consistent care to their patients. They can also help you work better with physicians by enhancing your communication, collaboration, and confidence. In this article, you will learn how to use clinical guidelines to improve your interprofessional relationships and outcomes.

1 Why use clinical guidelines?

Using clinical guidelines can benefit you and your patients in several ways. First, they can help you stay updated on the best practices and standards of care for different conditions and situations. Second, they can help you communicate more effectively and efficiently with physicians by providing a common language and framework for decision-making. Third, they can help you collaborate more smoothly and respectfully with physicians by reducing uncertainty, conflict, and variation in care. Fourth, they can help you boost your confidence and credibility by demonstrating your knowledge and competence.

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Hamze Salhab

International Mobile Staff @ Médecins Sans Frontières | MPH | PGDIp Emergency Response, Disaster Management | Registered Nurse
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Standardized Care: Clinical guidelines offer evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various conditions. This promotes consistency in care, reducing unwarranted variations in physician practices. Improved Patient Outcomes: By following guidelines that reflect best practices, physicians can potentially improve patient outcomes and reduce complications. Shared Decision-Making: Guidelines can be a starting point for discussions between patients and physicians. Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Guidelines can help optimize resource allocation and reduce unnecessary testing or procedures.

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James Robert Webb, MD

Interventional Musculoskeletal Radiologist | Minimally Invasive Spine Care | Top 10 Kyphoplasty Provider in USA | Osteoporosis Specialist | #1 Texas Artist/Songwriter/Producer | 2X Platinum Music Publisher | Voice Actor
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While there are always exceptions that prove the rule, clinical guidelines are generally a valuable way to ensure that care is delivered at a minimum quality level. Clinical guidelines are generally formulated to give the most appropriate approach for the greatest number of patients. While subspecialty experts will more often deviate from clinical guidelines when they recognize exceptions, most general practitioners will follow them to a fault. The main problem with clinical guidelines are that while they are based on what we consider the best scientific evidence at the time, that doesn't mean that they are correct. Revisions happen frequently with more research.

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2 How to find clinical guidelines?

Clinical guidelines can be found online or offline from a variety of sources. The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) is a database of clinical guidelines from various organizations and agencies in the US and abroad that can be searched by topic, keyword, or specialty. The Cochrane Library is a collection of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials and studies which provides summaries of evidence and recommendations for specific interventions or questions. Specialty societies often publish their own clinical guidelines for their members and the public, which can be found on their websites or journals. Additionally, some hospitals, clinics, or health systems may have their own local or institutional guidelines that are adapted to their specific context and resources. If you are looking for these types of guidelines, it is recommended to consult with colleagues, managers, or librarians.

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James Robert Webb, MD

Interventional Musculoskeletal Radiologist | Minimally Invasive Spine Care | Top 10 Kyphoplasty Provider in USA | Osteoporosis Specialist | #1 Texas Artist/Songwriter/Producer | 2X Platinum Music Publisher | Voice Actor
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Aside from NGC and Cochrane, various specialty societies generally publish position statements or white papers as clinical guidelines. Literature searches or even Google Scholar are another good source of position papers and review articles on individual subjects.

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3 How to evaluate clinical guidelines?

When evaluating the quality and applicability of a clinical guideline, it's important to consider its source, method, content, and context. Who developed it? Are they credible and independent? How was it developed, reviewed, and updated? What is the scope, purpose, and target audience of the guideline? Are the recommendations clear and actionable? How does the guideline fit with your practice setting, population, and resources? Examining these criteria can help you determine if a clinical guideline is reliable, relevant, and rigorous.

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James Robert Webb, MD

Interventional Musculoskeletal Radiologist | Minimally Invasive Spine Care | Top 10 Kyphoplasty Provider in USA | Osteoporosis Specialist | #1 Texas Artist/Songwriter/Producer | 2X Platinum Music Publisher | Voice Actor
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In addition to the basic methods of evaluating clinical guidelines, consider the null hypothesis. Critically assess if there are flaws in the guidelines themselves. The fact that there is often disagreement between various societies on the same topic shows that opinions may not as homogeneous as one may think. Science really only gives us better questions, not absolute answers. Don't forget we were bleeding people 200 years ago and we've had antibiotics for less than a century.

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4 How to use clinical guidelines?

Using clinical guidelines does not mean following them blindly or rigidly. You must use your clinical judgment, experience, and expertise to apply them to individual patients and situations, as well as consider patients' preferences, values, and goals when making decisions. To use clinical guidelines effectively, you should become familiar with the key recommendations and rationales of the guideline through summaries, algorithms, or tools. Additionally, you should discuss the guideline with physician colleagues and other team members to share perspectives, questions, and concerns; align roles, responsibilities, and expectations; and educate patients and their families about the guideline using plain language, visual aids, or shared decision-making tools. Lastly, you can monitor and evaluate your adherence and performance with the guideline through audits, feedback, or indicators to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.

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5 How to update clinical guidelines?

Clinical guidelines are not static and can be subject to change or revision as new evidence, technologies, and practices emerge. To stay up-to-date, you can subscribe to alerts, newsletters, or podcasts from the guideline developers or publishers. Additionally, joining online communities of health professionals who use or develop clinical guidelines can provide you with experiences, insights, or tips on how to use or update the guideline. Participating in continuing education, training, or research activities related to the guideline is another way to learn new skills, knowledge, and evidence that can help you use or update the guideline effectively. By using clinical guidelines wisely and appropriately, you can improve your communication with interprofessional partners and deliver optimal care to your patients.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you use clinical guidelines to work better with physicians?

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1 Why use clinical guidelines?

2 How to find clinical guidelines?

3 How to evaluate clinical guidelines?

4 How to use clinical guidelines?

5 How to update clinical guidelines?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Working with Physicians

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How do you use clinical guidelines to work better with physicians?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Why use clinical guidelines?

2 How to find clinical guidelines?

3 How to evaluate clinical guidelines?

4 How to use clinical guidelines?

5 How to update clinical guidelines?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Working with Physicians

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