title: What is a clinical pathway?
abstract: Clinical pathways are patient care algorithms based on best evidence. They are intended to minimize variance in treatment and thus reduce cost, increase efficiency, and ultimately improve patient care outcomes. Clinical paths are more commonly used in the United Kingdom, and there is evidence that they are effective in the medical context. Some limitations that dentists may want to keep in mind regarding critical paths are that they may not be appropriate for all patient especially those with complex conditions); they present the potential for being misunderstood or misapplied; and practitioners often find them time-consuming, restrictive, and intrusive.
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University School of Dentistry, Nova Scotia. debora.matthers@dal.ca
authors.forename: Debora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003363:Cost Control; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000145:classification / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom