title: Impact of the implementation of electronic guidelines for cardiovascular prevention in primary care: study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The electronic medical records software of the Catalan Institute of Health has recently incorporated an electronic version of clinical practice guidelines (e-CPGs). This study aims to assess the impact of the implementation of e-CPGs on the diagnosis, treatment, control and management of hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible study participants are those aged 35-74 years assigned to family practitioners (FPs) of the Catalan Institute of Health. Routinely collected data from electronic primary care registries covering 80% of the Catalan population will be analysed using two approaches: (1) a cross-sectional study to describe the characteristics of the sample before e-CPG implementation; (2) a controlled before-and-after study with 1-year follow-up to ascertain the effect of e-CPG implementation. Patients of FPs who regularly use the e-CPGs will constitute the intervention group; the control group will comprise patients assigned to FPs not regularly using the e-CPG. The outcomes are: (1) suspected and confirmed diagnoses, (2) control of clinical variables, (3) requests for tests and (4) proportions of patients with adequate drug prescriptions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This protocol should represent a reproducible process to assess the impact of the implementation of e-CPGs. We anticipate reporting results in late 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This project will assess the effectiveness of e-CPGs to improve clinical decisions and healthcare procedures in the three disorders analysed. The results will shed light on the use of evidence-based medicine to improve clinical practice of FPs.
authors.affiliation: Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona Spain. 16318ecb@comb.cat
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comin
authors.forename: Arantxa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catalán-Ramos
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: M Verdu
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iglesias-Rodal
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: del Val García
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amado
authors.forename: Angels
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Consola
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciurana
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzi
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mata
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cos
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frigola
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D013030:Spain