Authors' objectives:

To assess the impact of an evidence based guideline released in November 1995 for cholesterol testing and treatment.

Authors' recommendations: Surveys before and after its distribution found Saskatchewan physicians made moderate changes in their practice patterns to become more consistent with recommendations in the guideline. However, testing and treatment practices before the HSURC guideline were already largely consistent with the decision tool. Physicians appeared to adopt the guideline in areas where professional opinion was divided, but ignored recommendations that ran contrary to consensus in the medical community. Doctors' demographic characteristics predicted little of the variations in practice patterns or changes in those patterns. About 70 per cent of physicians reported they used the guideline; approximately 60 per cent rated the guideline favourably and indicated they wanted more such guidelines. Physicians were significantly more likely to report using the guideline if they believed their colleagues were using it.

Authors' methods: Survey

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.hqc.sk.ca/resources.html

Year Published: 1998

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Health Services Utilization and Research Commission

Contact Address: Health Services Utilization and Research Committee Box 46, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon SK S7N 0W8, Canada Tel: (306) 655-1500, Fax: (306) 655-1462

Contact Name: nisbetb@sdh.sk.ac. This organisation is now closed. Please see the Health Quality Council (HQC) website for further information at: http://www.hqc.sk.ca/.

Contact Email: nisbetb@sdh.sk.ac. This organisation is now closed. Please see the Health Quality Council (HQC) website for further information at: http://www.hqc.sk.ca/.

Copyright: Health Services Utilization and Research Commission