Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines

Chapter 3: Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines 

Overview:

• Defines ‘guidelines’ and their aims
• Outlines the process followed in developing guidelines through explanations and tables
• Explains content areas and format of guidelines
• Recommendations about a suitable integration process are addressed
• Describes the difficulties encountered
• Evaluates of the successful implementation of the guidelines

Description:

This chapter deals with the development of policies for the workplace. Descriptions of the process of developing complementary therapy guidelines for a large teaching hospital, commencing with the rationale for the use of guidelines are included. As is the development process and some of the difficulties encountered. The format and content areas are presented, along with a plan for evaluating its effectiveness.

Topics:

• Introduction
• Why develop guidelines?
• What are guidelines?
• Considerations for the development of guidelines at St Vincent's
• Process followed in developing the guidelines
• Content areas and format of the guidelines
• Implementation and integration into practice
• Difficulties encountered
• Measuring the success of the guidelines
• References

Speaker / Author:

Trisha Dunning

PhD, RN, MEd, Grad Dip Ed (Health), Grad Dip Professional Writing, Certificates in Obstetrics, Karitane, Family Planning, Aromatherapy, Relaxation Massage, FRCNA Clinical Nurse Consultant—Diabetes Education at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.

Trisha contributes to diabetes care through clinical practice, education and research, has published widely in the area and is well known internationally as well as nationally. Combining complementary therapies and nursing was a natural step for Trisha. She acquired a love of herbs from her mother, a passion for the Australian bush from her father and learned holistic care from a local general practitioner in the NSW country town where she completed her nurse education. Trisha uses aromatherapy in her nursing practice and personal life. She is an active member of many committees, both in diabetes and complementary therapies. She is a member of the management committee of the Australian Complementary Health Association and in1999 contributed regularly to Nursing Review about complementary therapies. Trisha lives on 17 acres with her animals, Australian plants, herb garden and husband.

Professional Reviews: