The purpose of these guidelines is to improve health outcomes of patients by changing the behaviour of practitioners. However, dissemination of CPGs does not necessarily guarantee compliance. The implementation process for CPGs occurs at multiple levels, from the developers and proponents of guidelines to front-line practitioners. Many of the educational strategies that facilitate the implementation of practice guidelines, can also improve the effectiveness of continuing medical education.
Patients can have different expectations, values, and preferences.
The development, implementation and evaluation of CPGs can be considered an effective form of continuing medical education activities in their own right. One role for the Forum could be to recommend the increased development and implementation of CPGs within existing CME structures. Dr. Feightner provided some background on the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination, which is composed of 12 clinicians from a variety of disciplines who function as an independent review panel. Using standard criteria, they review and synthesize evidence relating to the effectiveness of clinical preventive health care actions. Specifically, recommendations indicate whether the preventive action should be included in or excluded from periodic health exams.