Perspectives in guideline development and implementation in Germany

• Published in: Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie Vol. 69; no. 4; p. 298
• Main Author: Kopp, I B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.06.2010
• Subjects: Delivery of Health Care - standards; Germany; Guideline Adherence - standards; Guidelines as Topic - standards; Quality Assurance, Health Care - standards; Quality Indicators, Health Care - standards; Rheumatology - standards; Germany
• ISSN: 1435-1250; 1435-1250
• DOI: 10.1007/s00393-009-0526-3

Guidelines are important tools for improving knowledge management, processes and outcomes in health care. They aim to assisst both the clinical and the patient decision-making process, particularly in those areas of health care where considerable variation or potential for improvement exist. However, guidelines are often subject to substantial criticism by practicing clinicians. A prerequisite to improving the acceptance of guidelines is a systematic and methodically sound approach in guideline development. The German instrument for methodological guideline appraisal, DELBI, is intended to assist both guideline developers and users. However, this alone is insufficient. Implementation is a process requiring multifaceted strategies to promote behavior change. These include the provision of assistance for local adaptation and well-defined quality indicators for monitoring guideline adherence and quality of care. Additionally, possible links to existing quality management activities should be taken into account to avoid duplication of efforts.