Table 5.

Circumstances appropriate for CPG development

A CPG is a useful information tool where there is a literature or specialist evidence-base of usable caliber that is applicable to solving a clinical problem, and:

– where a significant variation in practice is noted, and a health outcome detriment is suspected;

– or –

– where new information that has an impact on existing practice patterns has become available;

– or –

– where the prevalence or incidence of a condition/intervention is believed to be abnormal;

– or –

– where the burden associated with a condition/intervention is believed to be abnormal;

– or –

– where the cost-differential between therapeutic options is significant;

– or –

– where the existing knowledge-base developed to support a practice is believed to be insufficiently effective.