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Guidelines research program
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- » Why are guidelines important?
- » Program objectives
- » Some current activities
- » Further information
Why are guidelines important?
Guidelines are a commonly-used strategy for distilling what’s known about best practice to encourage effective and efficient healthcare.
In Australia, guidelines are produced by a range of organisations using different methodologies and standards. Research tells us that they are consistently underused. Some of the barriers to guideline use can include variability in how the evidence has been synthesized, whether summaries are included and the degree of access.
To be effective, guidelines need to:
- be based on the best available evidence
- have methodology that is transparent
- have clearly identified, priority areas and recommendations
- have current, active implementation plans and
- be adequately disseminated to end users.
Program objectives
- Undertake research on guidelines implementation in Australia
- Investigate validated processes to rank Australian guidelines to assess quality and implementability
- Consult with Australian guideline developers on the use of internationally recognised guideline assessment tools
- Consult with guideline developers to ensure implementation is an integral component of high quality guidelines
- Work with other NHMRC programs to foster a research capacity in guideline development and implementation in Australia
- Contribute to NHMRC organisational leadership and excellence
Some current activities
We are currently developing a national clinical practice guidelines portal to assist Australian clinicians and consumers find and access quality assessed clinical practice guidelines for use in Australia. The portal is expected to go live in Spring 2009.
In addition we are developing an Australian guidelines in development register to assist guideline developers to work more effectively together, and to help match organisations commissioning guidelines with guideline developers. The register is also expected to go live in Spring 2009.
We are undertaking an audit of all current Australian clinical practice guidelines currently in use. The results have been incorporated into a database from which we will undertake further analysis.
We are presently undertaking a number of comprehensive systematic reviews relating to the characteristics of guidelines and barriers to implementation in particular settings.
Further information
For more information about these projects, please email Kay Currie, Program Director.