Clinical Practice Guidelines Developed According to the Principles and Methodologies of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM): Real Movements, Problems and Future Prospects in Japan

Abstract

Evidence-based approach to the development of clinical practice guidelines has attracted significant attention from medical groups as well as from the public. According to the U.S. Institute of Medicine, clinical practice guidelines are defined as the systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. However, the role and importance of clinical practice guidelines are not fully understood by stakeholders in Japan. This review aims to introduce real movements related with clinical practice guidelines in Japan, problems and future prospects of them.