Clinical practice guidelines for cancer care: Utilization and expectations of the practicing oncologist

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Melissa Dillmon, Harbin Clinic; John M. Goldberg, Harbin Clinic; Suresh S Ramalingam, Emory University; Robert J. Mayer, Harbin Clinic; Patrick Loehrer, Harbin Clinic; Catherine Van Poznak, Harbin Clinic
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-11-01
• Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/JOP.2012.000599
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Oncology Practice
• ISSN: 1554-7477
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 350
• End Page: 353
• Keywords: Algorithms; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Medical Oncology; Guideline Adherence; Attitude of Health Personnel; United States; Humans; Societies, Medical; Evidence-Based Medicine
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology

Abstract

ASCO produces guidelines for oncologists, utilizing a systematic review process. Although this resource-intense process results in authoritative and widely cited guidelines, they can cover only a few specific clinical issues. Hence, the ASCO guidelines presently do not fully address many clinical situations. Expanding the scope of ASCO guidelines will require major revisions to the guidelines development process. Changes likely to improve the process include establishing disease-specific committees composed of content experts, improving methods to resolve conflicts of interest, simplifying steps to engage members to suggest topics for new guidelines, and linking guidelines utilization with quality indices. In a time of rapid change in practice and research in cancer, ASCO can play a pivotal role in patient care through major revisions to guideline development, accessibility, and integration with quality metrics.