title: Clinical guidelines to improve patient care.
abstract: The aim of clinical guidelines is to improve quality of care by translating new research findings into practice. There is evidence that the following characteristics contribute to their use: inclusion of specific recommendations, sufficient supporting evidence, a clear structure and an attractive lay out. In the process of formulating recommendations, implicit norms of the target users should be taken into account. Guidelines should be developed within a structured and coordinated programme by a credible central organisation. To promote their implementation, guidelines could be used as a template for local protocols, clinical pathways and interprofessional agreements.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Wollersheim
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Burgers
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Grol
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011787:Quality of Health Care