The Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee (GPAC) adheres to the following principles:
To encourage appropriate responses to common medical situations
To recommend actions that are sufficient and efficient, neither excessive nor deficient
To permit exceptions when justified by clinical circumstances
Guidelines and protocols are designed to apply to common conditions and to provide flexibility for physician judgement in uncommon situations. They aim to improve patient care by developing recommendations for clinical practice in B.C.
Selection Criteria
high volume or high cost
high variability in practice patterns
opportunity for improvement in practice
support and interest of physicians
Process
GPAC's Subcommittees and Working Groups develop guidelines through an iterative process that involves:
Topic choice (common condition, situation can be improved by a guideline, doctors interested) and scope definition
Literature search (previous guidelines, critical literature reviews, randomized controlled trials)
Consultation with experts
Guideline drafts
External review (random sample of general practitioners, random sample of relevant specialists, experts in the field, professional organizations)
Consultation with experts
Approvals (from B.C. Medical Association, Medical Services Commission)
Three to five year planned review (may occur earlier when prompted by new information)
Guideline evaluation
Review
All guidelines and protocols are scheduled for review in the light of recent scientific literature three to five years after their initial distribution. They are reviewed sooner if warranted by new information.
Disclaimer
The Clinical Practice Guidelines (the "Guidelines") have been developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee on behalf of the Medical Services Commission. The Guidelines are intended to give an understanding of a clinical problem, and outline one or more preferred approaches to the investigation and management of the problem. The Guidelines are not intended as a substitute for the advice or professional judgment of a health care professional, nor are they intended to be the only approach to the management of clinical problems.
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