Clinical Practice Guidelines: What Are They? Where Are They? How Good Are They?

Abstract

PREVIOUS COLUMNS HAVE FOCUSED on utilizing evidence-based practice to incorporate the best evidence into clinical practice. This column builds upon that knowledge and describes a specific type of presynthesized evidence meant to guide and inform practice: clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Clinical practice guidelines have been in existence for years, and their development is based on the desire to move research into practice and promote consistency among practitioners.1 Clinical practice guidelines are tools for health care team members to use to enhance their knowledge and skill in integrating evidence into the clinical decision making process. This column defines CPGs and the significance they have in the practice setting and provides tools and resources necessary to locate, develop, and critically appraise them.