Although current literature supports the use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) by physicians, there is limited research concerning operational issues that may be inhibiting effective CPG implementation. The objective of our research was to increase understanding of clinical practice patterns by identifying physician preferences for CPG accessibility, format, content and learning strategies. Semistructured interviews were conducted with resident and faculty physicians in an academic medical center after they were presented with a CPG during treatment of a patient with acute pancreatitis. The results of our study revealed that physicians prefer CPGs in the form of evidence-based algorithms with treatment-specific information that is placed on the front of the patient chart during treatment. In addition, they felt that discussion of the guideline with colleagues, reminder notes/stickers on front of the patient chart, and verbal reminders from a nurse were the most effective means of encouraging utilization.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Organization and development of a pediatric end stage renal disease teaching protocol for peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis is one of the treatments for end stage renal disease that requires considerable expertise. When neonates or children develop end stage renal disease, both the patient and family members must be provided with substantial education and training. The organization of education and training is paramount, especially as length of stay is limited with managed care. The development of an organized interdisciplinary approach for this instruction and pediatric patient teaching protocol for management of home peritoneal dialysis therapy is discussed in this article. The protocol provides learning content, methodologies and patient/family outcomes and is accompanied by a documentation tool that serves as communication for directing team member reinforcement of content until outcomes are met. Since completion of the protocol, eight pediatric patients have been placed on this teaching plan with extremely positive outcomes.

Adolescent↗