Guidelines and their Implementation: A Discussion Document Focused on the Best Approaches to Drive Improvement

Authors: Erhardt L.R.; Pearson T.A.; Bruckert E.; Leiter L.A.; Conroy R.M.; Hobbs F.D.R.; Smaha L.A.; Ducimetière P.; Assmann G.; Fruchart J-C.; Komadja M.; G. Olsson A.; A. Wood D.

Source: Vascular Disease Prevention, Volume 1, Number 2, July 2004 , pp. 167-174(8)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Clinical practice guidelines exist in many different forms and in a wide spectrum of therapeutic areas; some recommendations are directed at specialists and others at a primary care audience, some focus on prevention and others on treatment of disease. In all of their various guises, guidelines represent an attempt to bridge the gap between the generation and the application of scientific evidence. Successful guideline implementation should improve quality of care by expediting the utilization of effective advances in everyday practice.

Guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are particularly numerous. More so than in most therapeutic areas, scientific evidence continues to accumulate rapidly demonstrating that lifestyle interventions and the use of pharmacological therapies in patients with CVD and other selected high-risk individuals can reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, despite widespread dissemination of comprehensive guidelines over several years, CVD remains the primary cause of mortality worldwide. It seems apparent, therefore, that there is a failure to put into action what is known about prevention.

In 2003, a small group of key opinion leaders, with previous involvement in the development and / or implementation of CVD and coronary heart disease guidelines, held a series of workshops focused on current and future trends of clinical guidelines in the management of atherosclerosis. The objectives were to stimulate dialogue around the convergence / divergence of guidelines on an international basis; to discuss the practicalities of guideline implementation and to identify future trends in the evolution of guidelines. Here, we summarize the key discussions of the workshops.

Keywords: guidelines; implementation; cardiovascular disease management; coronary heart disease

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567270043405187

Affiliations: 1: Department of Cardiology, Cardiology Research Unit, University of Lund, Malmo University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmo, Sweden

Publication date: 2004-07-01

More about this publication?

Vascular Disease Prevention publishes reviews as well as original papers to update all those concerned with this topic at the clinical or scientific level. In addition to clinically relevant topics, we consider reviews and original papers dealing with the more scientific aspects of vascular disease prevention. This includes the evaluation of emerging vascular risk factors, research dealing with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the investigation of new treatment options both at the clinical and scientific level (e.g. epidemiology, patient-based studies, experimental models, in vitro experiments or molecular research). Therefore, another function of Vascular Disease Prevention is to bridge the gap between clinical practice and ongoing laboratory-based research.

In particular, we welcome critical reviews and comments on recent trials. This is a topic that requires regular updates because of the large number of trials published every year.

Debates are encouraged in the correspondence section of this journal.
The editorial structure of Vascular Disease Prevention is set up with the aim of dealing with the submitted material as rapidly as possible. Specialist editors will provide a more expert and rapid assessment unlike a more centralized editorial structure.

Guidelines and their Implementation: A Discussion Document Focused on the Best Approaches to Drive Improvement

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