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What is a clinical practice guideline?

A clinical practice guideline (CPG) is a systematically developed statement, or set of statements, designed to help healthcare professionals and patients make informed decisions about appropriate care for specific clinical circumstances. Clinical practice guidelines are informed by a comprehensive review of the existing evidence on a medical condition, intervention or area of practice.


The purpose of a CPG is to translate high-quality evidence into practical recommendations, supporting clinicians and patients in making consistent, evidence-based decisions that improve care quality, safety and outcomes.


What clinical practice guidelines typically involve

Clinical practice guidelines usually include:

  • Systematic reviews of the evidence on a specific topic
  • Assessment of the strength and certainty of the evidence
  • Development of recommendations through expert panels
  • Consideration of benefits, risks, patient preferences and resource implications
  • Transparent reporting of decision-making and methodological processes
  • Clear, actionable recommendations for clinical practice

These processes ensure that guidelines are robust, transparent and clinically relevant.


Key features of clinical practice guidelines

  • Evidence-based: Grounded in systematic reviews and high-quality research
  • Transparent: Developed using structured and reproducible methods
  • Recommendation-focused: Provide clear advice for clinical decision making
  • Multidisciplinary: Developed by panels including clinicians, researchers and sometimes patient representatives
  • Practice-oriented: Designed to support real-world healthcare delivery


Benefits of clinical practice guidelines

  • Better standardisation of care across practitioners and settings
  • Increased application of evidence-based practice
  • Improved quality of care and patient outcomes
  • More efficient and effective use of healthcare resources
  • Support for clinical education and professional development
  • Enhanced patient empowerment and involvement
  • Alignment with professional standards and legal requirements


Limitations of clinical practice guidelines

  • Generalisations and rigidity because guidelines may not apply to every individual patient
  • Lack of high-quality evidence for certain conditions or populations
  • Potential for outdated information if guidelines are not regularly updated
  • Conflicts of interest may influence recommendations
  • Challenges in resource-constrained healthcare settings
  • Inadequate patient involvement in some guideline development processes


When should you create a clinical practice guideline?

Create a clinical practice guideline when you want to:

  • Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for a specific clinical issue
  • Standardise care across practitioners, teams or healthcare settings
  • Translate high-quality research into practical guidance for real-world practice
  • Address areas of variation, uncertainty or inconsistency in clinical decision making
  • Improve patient outcomes by ensuring that care reflects the best available evidence
  • Inform policy, service development or professional standards
  • Support clinical education and training with structured, authoritative guidance
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