To Not Be Swayed by Guidelines

Abstract

A guideline is defined as 1） a text containing recommendations based on scientific evidence developed using systematic reviews, which is 2） designed to support patients and healthcare providers and 3） used as a decision-making tool in clinical practice. Guideline users should acquire knowledge of medical practice guidelines by reading the literature or attending training courses on how to use the guideline. The quality and appropriateness of the guideline itself must then be evaluated based not only on its recommendations but on the background on which they are based, particularly the quality of the evidence and the method used to make the recommendation. Unfortunately, high-quality practice guidelines are very scarce in the field of anesthesiology. Clinicians should participate in the development of high-quality guidelines and try to adequately understand and use them to improve the quality of their practice.