Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Care of People With Kidney Disease: Core Curriculum 2016

The Institute of Medicine defines clinical practice guidelines – hereafter referred to as guidelines - as ‘statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care, which are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.’ The use of guidelines began and expanded in response to issues all healthcare systems continue to face. Increasing amounts of information were gradually overwhelming clinicians who were finding it increasingly difficult to evaluate new information in context, and provide the best possible care, supported by the latest scientific developments. Healthcare costs were continuously rising, service delivery varied among providers and at least some of this variation reflected inappropriate care (both overuse and underuse of services) with resultant impacts upon patient outcomes. Guidelines were developed in an attempt to remedy these problems by providing a quality control tool for standardising and optimizing care.