Abstract Details

Clinical practice guidelines serve as an important resource for evidence-based decision-making. Improvements to AAN dissemination tools can increase utilization of clinical practice guidelines for clinicians, patients, policy makers, and researchers.  

Over the span of one year, a workgroup was convened that consisted of AAN Guideline Subcommittee members. A workgroup charter identified areas of focus including the development of a formal process to select members from the Guideline Subcommittee to serve in the role of guideline disseminator for each guideline project, and revision of a dissemination worksheet used during development to serve as the foundation for guideline dissemination plans. The workgroup also conducted a comprehensive review of all AAN guideline dissemination tools. A review of tools and methods used by external organizations to promote uptake of guidelines was also conducted using a survey developed in Qualtrics^® to streamline data collection submissions. 

Workgroup findings were presented to AAN staff and Guideline Subcommittee members. A formal process for the selection of dissemination facilitators was suggested and updates were made to the guideline dissemination worksheet. Areas of refinement were identified for patient and clinician guideline summaries to improve readability and clarity. Website modifications were also suggested to improve search engine functionality to access relevant guidelines more efficiently. Newer dissemination tools reviewed included the Pocket Guideline App.

The workgroup identified areas of focus, reviewed dissemination tools, and streamlined data collection system. Future areas of development to increase use of clinical practice guidelines can include utilization of AAN Synapse channels, increased outreach to local medical society chapters, and integration with electronic health record systems and clinical decision support systems.