Local impact of the NHMRC early breast cancer guidelines: where to from here?
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinicians' recall of the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Clinical practice guidelines for the management of early breast cancer six months after publication, and their reactions to its content and potential dissemination and implementation strategies.


METHODS
Greater Western Region of Sydney, May 1996.


METHODS
Self-administered survey of clinicians with an involvement or interest in the management of women with breast cancer.


RESULTS
Of the 69 respondents to the questionnaire (77% response rate), 20% did not recall ever seeing the guidelines. Although most agreed with the defined parameters of potential strengths of the guidelines, there was less agreement as to their medicolegal implications. The four treatment sections of the guidelines were the most highly rated, followed by the sections on communication skills and investigations. Education programs, including college-based programs, as well as endorsement of the guidelines by the learned colleges and respected colleagues, were rated highly as dissemination strategies, far outranking Internet availability. Local revision of the guidelines was considered important as an implementation strategy by three-quarters of respondents. Only 20% indicated that the guidelines had influenced clinical practice, although 46% agreed that they would improve outcomes for women with early breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The NHMRC early breast cancer guidelines have been relatively well received in the Greater Western Region of Sydney, although local activities within public institutions and private practice will be needed to achieve implementation.
Ward
J E
JE
Needs Assessment & Health Outcomes Unit, Central Sydney Area Health Service, NSW.
Boyages
J
J
Gupta
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'