title: Opinions of Japanese rheumatology physicians regarding clinical practice guidelines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the views of rheumatology physicians concerning clinical practice guidelines in Japan, and changes to them following the dissemination of new guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional questionnaire surveys, the first conducted before publication of new evidence-based RA clinical practice guidelines and the second conducted after implementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rheumatology-focused practices in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of physicians registered with the Japan Rheumatism Foundation who satisfied the registration criteria with regard to experience with RA care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of guideline users increased from 48 to 60% following publication of the new RA guidelines in 2004 (P < 0.01). The majority agreed that clinical practice guidelines support decision-making in practice, although the proportion of supportive responses decreased slightly in the second survey, from 83 to 77% (P < 0.01) for decision-making, while concern about restricting physician autonomy increased from 18 to 22% (P = 0.01). While only 39% of physicians felt that clinical practice guidelines would contribute to malpractice litigation, the proportion of physicians who were concerned that clinical practice guidelines would be used to bring legal action against providers was larger than that who expected they would defend providers (58 vs 30%, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical practice guidelines are well accepted among Japanese rheumatology physicians, albeit that the proportion decreased slightly after the introduction of new guidelines. One reason for this may be concern about the use of the guidelines in malpractice litigation. To facilitate implementation, trends in physician support for the guidelines should be closely monitored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health/Health Policy, The University of Tokyo, Japan. higashi@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higashi
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuhara
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: Tsuneyo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mimori
authors.forename: Junnosuke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yonenobu
authors.forename: Norikazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuno
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ochi
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires