NIH - NHLBI Discontinues Guidelines Program Passes Work off to Associations

Conclusion NHLBI's decision demonstrates an interesting point: even the most cutting edge scientists who are constantly analyzing new scientific and medical information and data are sometimes not able to keep up with the pace or have enough resources to synthesize this kind of information to create new information that physicians can act on to improve patient care. This point is the very heart of why continuing medical education (CME) is so critical for America's healthcare system. CME provides an additional resource for physicians who do not have the time or resources to learn about clinical practice guidelines, the systematic reviews that helped shape such guidelines, or the reasoning behind the recommendations. Further, CME can help physicians walk through these guidelines in a way they can explain to their patients and if necessary to other colleagues. Ultimately, with the NHLBI leaving the guideline writing industry, it will be incumbent upon professional medical associations and physician organizations to continue the research, collaboration, and analysis necessary to inform physicians in all fields and specialties about new treatments, discoveries and breakthroughs through clinical practice guidelines. This task, however, may be difficult for some organizations and groups given the tremendous task this amounts to and the incredible financial and resource burden imposed on groups—particularly if they are going to comply with IOM recommendations. Ne...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Source Type: blogs