Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines: Lessons Learned from the Alberta Experience

Description

In a recent presentation, Clinical Professor David Sheps from the University of Alberta discussed the development of clinical practice guidelines in Alberta, initiated in 2019 before the pandemic. The guidelines aim to address issues in musculoskeletal (MSK) health care and improve cost-effectiveness and quality of care across various conditions. Sheps detailed the collaborative efforts involving multiple universities, Alberta Health Services, and the Alberta Bone & Joint Health Institute, emphasizing the need for standardized care pathways for conditions like shoulder, knee, and back issues.



He highlighted the challenges faced in the fragmented healthcare system and how a comprehensive approach using the Delphi method was adopted to establish consensus on evidence-based practices among local experts. The presentation also underscored the importance of engaging a diverse group of MSK providers and setting objectives for both usual and complex care. Through rapid literature reviews and expert surveys, they compiled robust guidelines aimed at streamlining the care process, facilitating better primary care delivery.



Looking ahead, Sheps mentioned the integration of these pathways into the provincial electronic medical record system, Connect Care, and the potential role of artificial intelligence in enhancing clinical decision-making. He invited collaboration and discussions around usability and further refinement of these guidelines, aiming to ultimately improve patient care in Alberta.

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