title: [Guideline development for general medicine: the problem of dichotomized algorithm development].
abstract: Development of clinical guidelines in Germany is based on two divergent principles. One is the clinical position of individuality and clinical experience. The other is the strong adherence to the principles of evidence-based medicine and the scientific method, as demonstrated by the clear, algorithmic methodology of critical pathway development. We discuss the pros and cons of both concepts and try to find some sort of practical middle ground between the two extremes.
authors.affiliation: Abt. Allgemeinmedizin, Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover. Niederstadt.Christina@MH-Hannover.de
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Niederstadt
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Doering
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care