The impact of asthma guidelines on clinical practice. A review prepared for the GEPOR working group meeting, Milan, June 22-23 1993.
Guidelines on asthma management may be useful in defining optimal standards of care and as a basis for audit. They also have a role in the education of health professionals and offer a common approach for use by all who care for those with asthma. They should define the goals and outcomes expected from treatment and preferably outline several ways in which they may be achieved. It should be made clear when the recommendations are based upon the results of clinical trials and where they merely reflect current clinical practice. Areas for future research should be clearly outlined. The production of guidelines is only likely to influence patient care, if the guidelines are adapted and made relevant to individual districts or health establishments. There needs to be a realisation that they contain much more than advice about drug treatments. A more patient centred approach to management and attention to patient education is necessary if they are to be effective in reducing the morbidity associated with this common condition.
Partridge
M R
MR
Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Whipps Cross Hospital, London, UK.
D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D015510:Clinical Medicine; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom