Clinical Practice Guidelines and Protocols in British Columbia

Clinicians in Canada and other countries increasingly use practice guidelines and protocols to improve patient care and health outcomes. Guidelines and protocols help practitioners offer the best possible care for their patients by providing recommendations based on scientific evidence and expert clinical opinion.

In B.C., guidelines and protocols are developed under the direction of the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee (GPAC), jointly sponsored by the B.C. Medical Association and the Ministry of Health.

NOTICE BOARD

  • A new guideline Frailty in Older Adults – Early Identification and Management, has been approved by the BCMA and the Medical Services Commission, with an effective date of October 1, 2008.
  • The Chronic Kidney Disease guideline has been revised, with an effective date of September 15, 2008.
  • Look for new CME Credit information for physicians under GPAC Information.
  • The Diabetes Care guideline ‘Care Objectives’ table has been updated with revised blood glucose control targets.
  • A Summary of the Cardiovascular Disease guideline has also been added as a separate, printable PDF document.
  • The Related Links page has been updated with the inclusion of the web site for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. From this site, there is a direct link to a section on Waist Measurement, and under Health Information, additional resources for patients and physicians.

GPAC intends its guidelines to provide practical and easy-to-follow advice to practitioners for effective patient care. The guidelines are based on scientific evidence, and are modified for circumstances in B.C. GPAC aims to:

  • Encourage appropriate responses to common medical situations
  • Recommend actions that are sufficient and efficient, neither excessive nor deficient
  • Permit exceptions when justified by clinical circumstances

Disclaimer

The Clinical Practice Guidelines (the "Guidelines") have been developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee on behalf of the Medical Services Commission. The Guidelines are intended to give an understanding of a clinical problem, and outline one or more preferred approaches to the investigation and management of the problem. The Guidelines are not intended as a substitute for the advice or professional judgment of a health care professional, nor are they intended to be the only approach to the management of clinical problems.

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