[Guideline development in the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1992-2001].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a program for the local development and implementation of evidence based guidelines in the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Retrospective evaluation study.


METHODS
In the period 1992-2001, 50 guideline projects had received funding. Two questionnaires were developed to monitor aspects of development and implementation of guidelines. The first questionnaire was based on the 'Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation' (AGREE) instrument. In total 39 projects of which the original application form as well as the final report was accessible, were scored by 3 researchers. A second questionnaire was developed on the basis of an implementation model by Grol and was filled out by 46 applicants.


RESULTS
The primary motive for the development of a guideline were doubts about the effectiveness of a procedure. In 79% researchers (partly) collected their own data. The future users of the guideline were involved in an early stage of the development project in 72% of all cases. In 28% potential obstructing factors were identified. Introduction of the guideline was done through oral presentations in 42% without the use of an extensive implementation strategy. Of all subsidized projects, 24% was ongoing and 74% had been implemented successfully.


CONCLUSIONS
In the AMC-program subsidized projects often led to successfully developed guidelines, which subsequently were introduced in practice.
Goossens
A
A
Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, afd. Klinische Epidemiologie en Biostatistiek, Centrum Richtlijnen voor het Klinisch Handelen, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam. a.semin@amc.uva.nl
Bossuyt
P M
PM
de Haan
R J
RJ
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires