Avoid proliferation, keep CPGs current, workshop told CMAJ 1997;157:359 © 1997 Canadian Medical Association Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have a key role to play in Canada's health care system, but a workshop on the implementation of guidelines has been told that attempts must be made not only to keep CPGs current but also to keep them from proliferating. The 2-day workshop was part of the National Partnership for Quality in Health, which was established by the CMA in 1991 to coordinate and facilitate the CPG process in Canada. The workshop was designed to share information, develop a handbook on the implementation of CPGs and encourage networking among people involved in the CPG process. Common themes such as the need for effective coordination among CPG developers emerged during the meeting. Participants also concluded that consumers have an important role to play in the implementation of CPGs, and that computer technology and the Internet are important tools for disseminating information about them. Because of Canada's current emphasis on getting its financial house in order, participants recognized that demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of CPGs will play a key role in encouraging their implementation. Further information about guidelines is available from the CMA's CPG Infobase (www.cma.ca/cpgs [English] or www.cma.ca/cpgs/index_f.htm [French]), which has a wealth of information, including many full-text CPGs. It is made possible in part by unrestricted education grants from Astra Pharma Inc. and Merck Frosst Canada Inc. Send a letter to the editor responding to this article Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cet article | CMAJ August 15, 1997 (vol 157, no 4) / JAMC le 15 août 1997 (vol 157, no 4) |