scholarly journals The Shortcomings of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Cardiology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Dean Boudoulas ◽  
Carl V. Leier ◽  
Paraschos Geleris ◽  
Harisios Boudoulas
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
New Research ◽  
Lost In Translation

Accumulation of medical knowledge related to diagnosis and management over the last 5-6 decades has altered the course of diseases, improved clinical outcomes and increased survival. Thus, it has become difficult for the practicing physician to evaluate the long-term effects of a particular therapy on survival of an individual patient. Further, the approach by each physician to an individual patient with the same disease is not always uniform. In an attempt to assist physicians in applying newly acquired knowledge to patients, clinical practice guidelines were introduced by various scientific societies. Guidelines assist in facilitating the translation of new research discoveries into clinical practice; however, despite the improvements over the years, there are still several issues related to guidelines that often appear ‘lost in translation'. Guidelines are based on the results of randomized clinical trials, other nonrandomized studies, and expert opinion (i.e. the opinion of most members of the guideline committees). The merits and limitations of randomized clinical trials, guideline committees, and presentation of guidelines will be discussed. In addition, proposals to improve guidelines will be presented.

Primary Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Implementing the Clinical Trial Findings

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1187-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A Howard ◽  
Pamela W Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Risk Patients

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical trials evaluating warfarin for primary stroke prophylaxis in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), to discuss the relative benefits and risks of warfarin versus aspirin therapy, and to review the clinical practice guidelines and identify potential barriers to their implementation in clinical practice. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE literature search was performed to identify clinical trials of antithrombotic therapy for NVAF, clinical practice guidelines, studies evaluating physician practices and attitudes, cost-effectiveness studies, and pertinent review articles. Key search terms included atrial fibrillation, stroke, antithrombotic, warfarin, aspirin, and cost-effectiveness. DATA EXTRACTION: Prospective, randomized clinical trials were selected for analysis. Clinical practice guidelines from recognized panels of experts were reviewed. Comprehensive review articles were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: NVAF is a common arrhythmia that is associated with a substantial risk for stroke. Seven prospective, randomized, clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated the efficacy of warfarin for stroke prevention. The greatest benefits are achieved in older patients and those with comorbidities that increase their risk for stroke. The potential benefits of preventing a devastating stroke, however, must be weighed against the potential for bleeding complications. Warfarin has been shown to be cost-effective in high-risk patients, provided the rate of complications is minimized. Nonetheless, many physicians remain hesitant to implement warfarin therapy in older, high-risk patients. The clinical data on aspirin are less consistent than those observed with warfarin. Aspirin appears to be most effective in younger individuals or those considered to be at low risk for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NVAF, the personal, social, and economic consequences of stroke are often devastating. Clinical trials have provided definitive proof that the risks of stroke can be significantly reduced through the use of appropriate antithrombotic therapy. Despite this evidence and the recommendations of a number of clinical practice guidelines, variations in care exist that continue to place patients at risk. Additional outcomes research is needed to evaluate the impact of the clinical trial findings and practice guidelines on clinical practice and to develop methods for overcoming barriers to implementation.

Frailty Status and Cognitive Function Should Guide Prescribing in Long-term Care Facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 469-473
Author(s):  
Shin J. Liau ◽  
J. Simon Bell
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Adverse Drug Events ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Disease Specific

Frailty, dementia and complex multimorbidity are highly prevalent among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Prescribing for residents of LTCFs is often informed by disease-specific clinical practice guidelines based on research conducted among younger and more robust adults. However, frailty and cognitive impairment may modify medication benefits and risks. Residents with frailty and advanced dementia may be at increased susceptibility to adverse drug events (ADEs) and often have a lower likelihood of achieving long-term therapeutic benefit from chronic preventative medications. For this reason, there is a strong rationale for deprescribing, particularlyamong residents with high medication burdens, swallowing difficulties or limited dexterity. Conversely, frailty and dementia have also been associated with under-prescribing of clinically indicated medications. Unnecessarily withholding treatment based on assumed risk may deprive vulnerable population groups from receiving evidence-based care. There is a need for specific evidence regarding medication benefits and risks in LTCF residents with frailty and dementia. Observational studies conducted using routinely collected health data may complement evidence from randomized controlled trials that often exclude people living with dementia, frailty and in LTCFs. Balancing over- and under-prescribing requires consideration of each resident’s frailty and cognitive status, therapeutic goals, time-to-benefit, potential ADEs, and individual values or preferences. Incorporating frailty screening into medication review may also provide better alignment of medication regimens to changing goals of care. Timely identification of frail residents as part of treatment decision-making may assist with targeting interventions to minimize and monitor for ADEs. Shifting away from rigid application of conventional disease-specific clinical practice guidelines may provide an individualized and more holistic assessment of medication benefits and risks in the LTCF setting.

National consensus project for quality palliative care

2015 ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance M. Dahlin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
National Consensus

The National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Care is a significant resource that offers the nurse a framework for quality care in all settings. The Clinical Practice Guidelines are appropriate to a range of populations from neonates to children to adults and older adults; a range of chronic progressive and serious life-threatening illnesses, injuries, and trauma; and a range of vulnerable and underresourced populations. The Clinical Practice Guidelines are appropriate for any setting because they facilitate partnerships for caring for patients with debilitating and life-limiting illnesses and offer support for the nurse in delivering the care, particularly for long-term patients.

scholarly journals Should endometriosis be managed within a chronic disease framework? An analysis of national policy documents

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca O'Hara ◽  
Heather Rowe ◽  
Louise Roufeil ◽  
Jane Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Chronic Disease Management ◽  
Coordinated Care ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Consensus Statements

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether endometriosis meets the definition for chronic disease in Australian policy documents. Methods A qualitative case study approach was used to thematically analyse the definitions contained in Australian chronic disease policy documents and technical reports. The key themes were then compared with descriptions of endometriosis in peer-reviewed literature, clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus statements. Results The search yielded 18 chronic disease documents that provided a definition or characteristics of chronic disease. The thematic analysis identified key elements of chronic diseases pertaining to onset, causation, duration, treatment, disease course and impact (individual and societal). A comparison with endometriosis descriptions indicated that endometriosis meets five of the six chronic disease key elements. Conclusion In Australia, long-term and complex conditions are managed within a chronic disease framework and include mechanisms such as chronic disease management plans (CDMPs) to assist with coordination and management of these conditions. Because endometriosis has most of the characteristics of chronic disease, it could potentially be reframed as a chronic disease in endometriosis clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements. Further, the use of CDMPs may provide a mechanism to promote individualised care and multidisciplinary management of this chronic, enigmatic and debilitating disease. What is known about the topic? In Australia, long-term complex diseases can be managed within a chronic disease framework that include mechanisms for coordinated care such as CDMPs and team care arrangements. Endometriosis is described as an inflammatory, progressive, relapsing and, for some women, debilitating condition, but is rarely described as a chronic disease in the clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements available in Australia. What does this paper add? Endometriosis shares most of the characteristics of a chronic disease so may benefit from chronic disease management systems such as CDMPs. What are the implications for practitioners? CDMPs may be a useful mechanism to coordinate and improve the effectiveness of care for women with endometriosis who experience sustained symptoms of endometriosis.

Book review: Deadly medicines and organized crime

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-139
Author(s):  
Shankar PR ◽  
Alshakka MAM
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Organized Crime ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Degree Of Control

Clinical trials have attracted negative attention recently. The degree of control of the pharmaceutical industry over the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials has been criticized. Healthcare professionals increasingly rely on data obtained from clinical trials and from meta-analysis and systematic reviews. The process of publishing clinical trials and framing clinical practice guidelines is being increasingly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.

scholarly journals Clinical practice guidelines for older people with multimorbidity and life-limiting illness: what are the implications for deprescribing?

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 619-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Okeowo ◽  
Alastair Patterson ◽  
Cynthia Boyd ◽  
Emily Reeve ◽  
Danijela Gnjidic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Older People ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Older Patient ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Hypothetical Patient ◽  
Patient Model

Background: The aim of this study was (1) to apply the current United Kingdom (UK) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical practice guidelines to a hypothetical older patient with multimorbidity and life-limiting illness; (2) consider how treatment choices could be influenced by NICE guidance specifically related to multimorbidity; and, (3) ascertain if such clinical practice guidelines describe how and when medication should be reviewed, reduced and stopped. Methods: Based upon common long-term conditions in older people, a hypothetical older patient was constructed. Relevant NICE guidelines were applied to the hypothetical patient to determine what medication should be initiated in three treatment models: a new patient model, a treatment-resistant model, and a last-line model. Medication complexity for each model was assessed according to the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI). Results: The majority of the guidelines recommended the initiation of medication in the hypothetical patient; if the initial treatment approach was unsuccessful, each guideline advocated the use of more medication, with the regimen becoming increasingly complex. In the new patient model, 4 separate medications (9 dosage units) would be initiated per day; for the treatment-resistant model, 6 separate medications (15 dosage units); and, for the last-line model, 11 separate medications (20 dosage units). None of the guidelines used for the hypothetical patient discussed approaches to stopping medication. Conclusions: In a UK context, disease-specific clinical practice guidelines routinely advocate the initiation of medication to manage long-term conditions, with medication regimens becoming increasingly complex through the different steps of care. There is often a lack of information regarding specific treatment recommendations for older people with life-limiting illness and multimorbidity. While guidelines frequently explain how and when a medication should be initiated, there is often no information concerning when and how the medications should be reduced or stopped.

NCCN Guidelines for Survivorship Expanded to Address Two Common Conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (5S) ◽  
pp. 825-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kvale ◽  
Susan G. Urba
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Nccn Guidelines

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Survivorship include a new section on cancer-associated cognitive impairment and an expanded section on adult cancer pain that more completely addresses chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. These additions to the guidelines are the result of increasing awareness that long-term cancer survivors struggle with many late effects. Both the assessment and the management of cognitive impairment still lack a strong evidence-based foundation. The management of peripheral neuropathy, including the use of anti-depressants and opioids, often in combination, is backed by data primarily derived from clinical trials performed for various types of peripheral neuropathy.

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