Attitudes to clinical guidelines--do GPs differ from other medical doctors?

Abstract

It is suggested that creating trust in guidelines could be more important than more efforts to improve guideline format and accessibility. It may also be worth considering whether guidelines should be implemented using different processes in generalist and specialist care.

Adherence to National Recommendations for Safe Methotrexate Dispensing in Community Pharmacies

“…Practical issues were often reasons for nonadherence with clinical guidelines. 25 We showed high levels of adherence (> 75%) with most of the recommendations for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. However, when studying the complete pharmacy team, adherence to the recommendations was much lower, indicating inconsistencies within the pharmacy team.…”

Prevention of healthcare-associated infections in general practice: Current practice and drivers for change in a French study

“…The physician's acceptance of guidelines depends on the credibility and applicability of the proposed measures and the corresponding costs involved. [25] These barriers appear to be particularly frequent among GPs. [26] Strategies to improve practices must take into account barriers in initiating changes.…”

Perceptions of Dutch health care professionals regarding the Care Standard for diabetes

“…A study of clinicians’ attitudes showed, however, that guidelines are seen as helpful resources for advice and as valuable educational tools that might improve quality [20]. Studies comparing perceptions of guidelines and standards between different groups of health care professionals have been scarce, and the evidence seems inconsistent [22]. There are, however, some indications that general practitioners are more reluctant to follow guidelines than professionals working in hospitals [22].…”

“…Studies comparing perceptions of guidelines and standards between different groups of health care professionals have been scarce, and the evidence seems inconsistent [22]. There are, however, some indications that general practitioners are more reluctant to follow guidelines than professionals working in hospitals [22]. Moreover, a recent study in Norway found significant differences between general practitioners and other medical doctors in terms of their attitudes toward clinical guidelines [22].…”

“…There are, however, some indications that general practitioners are more reluctant to follow guidelines than professionals working in hospitals [22]. Moreover, a recent study in Norway found significant differences between general practitioners and other medical doctors in terms of their attitudes toward clinical guidelines [22]. As regards environmental factors, limited time, staff shortages and pressure of work have been found to be the main barriers to guideline implementation [18,19].…”