A Study about Social Norms Perspective
Advances in clinical investigation, data analysis, rapid dissemination, and rigorous evaluation of the findings led to the accumulation of medical “evidence.” This evidence now forms the basis of thousands of guidelines developed and promulgated by professional societies, safety and outcomes organizations, provider institutions, and regulators. With rare exception, these guidelines are inconsistently implemented or used. This article reviews the history of guideline development and use, assesses the current state of implementation, identifies obstacles to adoption, and suggests strategies to overcome these obstacles.
Background: Clinicians have long recognized that there is a benefit to sharing knowledge. The tradition of clinicians synthesizing individual clinical experience into shared practice recommendations dates back at least 3,300 years. The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus was written around 1700 BC; it describes wounds and therapies. The Ebers Papyrus, circa 1552 BC, not only describes diverse medical conditions but also recommends treatments. Still, until the mid-1960s, the basis for “standard practice” was transmitted through medical training, shared common wisdom, local customs, personal experiences. Read More…