Clinical practice guidelines: Particular reference to the management of pain in the lumbosacral spine

Abstract

Clinical practice guidelines and protocols are a seductive way of trying to improve the standard of clinical practice. If these are to be most effective, they must evaluate rigorously the evidence supporting a particular management strategy and make appropriate recommendations based on this information. This process needs to be objective, should engage and obtain endorsement from the disciplines that are involved in providing the care, and be accompanied by appropriate implementation strategies. Subsequently, the impact of these strategies should be measured. Existing guidelines for the management of lumbosacral pain largely conform to criteria for guidelines development. It can therefore be expected that they will benefit practitioners and the community.