What is a Guideline?

It’s advice on health care management based on a set of national or local standards which have general professional support. A guideline is often produced by experts and reflects the literature and current best practice. It is agreed guidance written down to set a standard or to determine a course of action

Can you ignore guidelines? Medical Defence Union advice, considers the risk of legal action:
http://careerfocus.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/330/7495/143-a

BMJ Careerfocus list of 'Guidelines on the Web':
http://careerfocus.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/330/7495/149

If you have the web link to any useful local guideline or you have any suggestions about how we can improve this section email them to contact@bristolgpsolutions.org.uk

In the UK

National Institute for Clinical excellence publishes guidelines for the NHS:
http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=guidelines.completed

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN):
http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/published/

Royal College of Physicians Guidelines:
http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/standards.asp

eGuidelines summarises guidelines for primary care:
http://www.eguidelines.co.uk

Database for non clinical guidelines
http://www.rcgp.org.uk/information/gpdatabase/

In the US

National Guideline Clearinghouse is a public resource for evidence based clinical practice guidelines:
www.guideline.gov 

Questions you should ask about guidelines

Questions you should ask about guidelines