Article
Six years of the Spanish NHS clinical practice guideline programme
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Authors
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S. García Rodríguez
- GuíaSalud-Aragon Institute of Health Sciences, Zaragoza, Spain
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F. Salcedo Fernández
- GuíaSalud-Aragon Institute of Health Sciences, Zaragoza, Spain
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J.M. García-Lechuz Moya
- GuíaSalud-Aragon Institute of Health Sciences, Zaragoza, Spain
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GuiaSalud
| Published: | July 10, 2012 |
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Outline
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Background: The Spanish Quality Plan for the National Health Service (NHS) promotes the development and use of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) linked to national health strategies through a national programme based on an agreement between the Spanish Ministry of Health (MH) and the different Health Technology Assessment Units (HTAU).
Objectives: To promote the development of evidence based CPG (EB-CPG) and therefore to assist practitioner and patient in the decision making process.
Methods: The Spanish NHS CPG development Programme is organised at two levels: a coordination level and a development level. A common methodology has been agreed in terms of CPG methodological handbooks: development, updating, implementation and patient involvement.
Results: From 2006 up to now there have been 37 CPG developed. 26 are published and 11 are in development. 474 people (including patients, health professionals and others stakeholders), 101 scientific societies and 35 patient associations have participated. CPG are available in electronic (HTML, PDF and via mobile application) and paper format. Each CPG presents different versions (full, summarized, quick reference guide and patient information).
Discussion: The Spanish NHS CPG Programme has had an important impact in the development of CPG at national level allowing not only the development of a greater number of quality EB-CPG but also the participation of different health professionals, scientific societies and patients.
Implications for guidelines developers/users: The existence of the Spanish NHS CPG Programme facilitates the development of Quality EB-CPG and enhances patient-centred decision-making process by promoting patient involvement.
