[The German program for disease management guidelines--implementation with pathways and quality management].
In Germany, physicians enrolled in disease management programs are legally obliged to follow evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. That is why a Program for National Disease Management Guidelines (German DM-CPG Program) was established in 2002 aiming at implementation of best-practice evidence-based recommendations for nationwide as well as regional disease management programs. Against this background the article reviews programs, methods and tools for implementing DM-CPGs via clinical pathways as well as regional guidelines for outpatient care. Special reference is given to the institutionalized program of adapting DM-CPGs for regional use by primary-care physicians in the State of Hesse.
Ollenschläger
Günter
G
Arztliches Zentrum für Qualität in der Medizin (AZQ) - gemeinsames Institut von Bundesärztekammer und Kassenärztlicher Bundesvereinigung, Berlin. go@azq.de
Lelgemann
Monika
M
Kopp
Ina
I
D019091:Critical Pathways; D019468:Disease Management; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D008332:Management Quality Circles; D009313:National Health Programs; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017749:Total Quality Management