The Value of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Otolaryngology

Purpose of Review To assess the value of clinical practice guidelines in otolaryngology. Recent Findings The value of a clinical practice guideline can best be assessed by comparing the value of care delivered as a result of following guideline recommendations vs. standard care. A limited number of studies show improved patients outcomes and cost reduction as a result of adherence to clinical practice guidelines. However, existing studies that evaluate awareness and adherence to clinical practice guidelines tend to demonstrate a lack of adherence to and dissemination of practice guidelines. Summary Quantifying the value of clinical practice guidelines in otolaryngology is a challenging task. There are strong arguments to support the value of clinical practice guidelines in terms of optimizing patients outcomes and reducing costs, but the evidence is currently limited. While clinical practice guidelines alone cannot resolve the challenges in our health care system, they can serve as a valuable tool to help achieve this goal.