Implementation of a clinical dementia guideline. A controlled study on the effect of a multifaceted strategy

TY - JOUR

T1 - Implementation of a clinical dementia guideline. A controlled study on the effect of a multifaceted strategy

AU - Waldorff, Frans Boch

AU - Almind, Gert

AU - Mäkelä, Marjukka

AU - Møller, Susanne

AU - Waldemar, Gunhild

N1 - Keywords: Chi-Square Distribution; Dementia; Denmark; Family Practice; Guideline Adherence; Humans; Poisson Distribution; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Questionnaires; Statistics, Nonparametric

PY - 2003

Y1 - 2003

N2 - OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a multifaceted implementation strategy aiming to improve GP adherence to a clinical guideline on dementia. DESIGN: Controlled before and after study using data records from regional laboratories. The guideline was mailed to all GPs. The multifaceted implementation strategy was planned with local GPs, and consisted of seminars, outreach visits, reminders and continuing medical education (CME) small group training. SETTING: Primary health care. SUBJECTS: 535 GP practices with 727 physicians in Denmark. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diffusion and use of the guideline was measured by a mailed survey. Adherence to guideline recommendations was monitored by data on laboratory tests from general practice in patient's > or = 65 years: thyroid stimulating hormone requested with vitamin B12 or methylmalonate. The use of these tests as part of a diagnostic evaluation of dementia was subsequently verified by a questionnaire to the practices. RESULTS: Of the GPs who read the guideline, 88% found it applicable in primary care. No increase in the adherence to guideline recommendations was observed regarding the use of laboratory tests or cognitive tests in the diagnostic evaluation of dementia in general practice. CONCLUSION: Although GPs regarded the guideline applicable in primary care, no change in practice adherence to guideline recommendations was detected after a multifaceted implementation.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a multifaceted implementation strategy aiming to improve GP adherence to a clinical guideline on dementia. DESIGN: Controlled before and after study using data records from regional laboratories. The guideline was mailed to all GPs. The multifaceted implementation strategy was planned with local GPs, and consisted of seminars, outreach visits, reminders and continuing medical education (CME) small group training. SETTING: Primary health care. SUBJECTS: 535 GP practices with 727 physicians in Denmark. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diffusion and use of the guideline was measured by a mailed survey. Adherence to guideline recommendations was monitored by data on laboratory tests from general practice in patient's > or = 65 years: thyroid stimulating hormone requested with vitamin B12 or methylmalonate. The use of these tests as part of a diagnostic evaluation of dementia was subsequently verified by a questionnaire to the practices. RESULTS: Of the GPs who read the guideline, 88% found it applicable in primary care. No increase in the adherence to guideline recommendations was observed regarding the use of laboratory tests or cognitive tests in the diagnostic evaluation of dementia in general practice. CONCLUSION: Although GPs regarded the guideline applicable in primary care, no change in practice adherence to guideline recommendations was detected after a multifaceted implementation.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 14531504

SN - 0281-3432

VL - 21

SP - 142

EP - 147

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

IS - 3

ER -