Article type
Abstract
The INEAS (National authority for assessment and accreditation in health) in Tunisia has developed a care pathway for the management of hypertensive patients in collaboration with the Tunisian society of cardiology (STCCCV)and several other scientific societies, aiming to enhance the implementation of clinical practice guidelines.
Objective : This care pathway aims to improve the implementation of recommendations from Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for the management of hypertension and narrow the gap between practices and evidence.
Methods: Developing a care pathway for CPG implementation involves a structured, multidisciplinary approach to translate CPG recommendations into the local context. Health professional training is a key component of the implementation. However, evaluation of changing physician’s attitudes in daily practices using the method of tracer patient was conducted in 5 primary care centers located in Tunis city. For this we focused our assessment on collecting data from both random patient file and a questionnaire for doctors and patients.
Results: INEAS, STCCCV with the collaboration of the World Health Organization , has initiated a series of training sessions benefiting 350 primary care physicians across Tunisia. Pre- and post-training tests were conducted to assess the level of acquisition. Flyers for patients and their families were prepared and distributed through primary care physicians during these training sessions. The results of the assessment of practice by tracer patient shows a large difference between reality and the written pathway due to: the lack of human and material ressources, non-updating of drug availability and health professionals' resistance to change.
Simultaneously, an update to the hospital drug nomenclature was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to provide hypertension medications in accordance with written recommendations.
Conclusion: Ultimately, the care pathway developed by INEAS can contribute to improving the implementation of CPGs, fostering consistency in clinical practices for better patient management.
Objective : This care pathway aims to improve the implementation of recommendations from Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for the management of hypertension and narrow the gap between practices and evidence.
Methods: Developing a care pathway for CPG implementation involves a structured, multidisciplinary approach to translate CPG recommendations into the local context. Health professional training is a key component of the implementation. However, evaluation of changing physician’s attitudes in daily practices using the method of tracer patient was conducted in 5 primary care centers located in Tunis city. For this we focused our assessment on collecting data from both random patient file and a questionnaire for doctors and patients.
Results: INEAS, STCCCV with the collaboration of the World Health Organization , has initiated a series of training sessions benefiting 350 primary care physicians across Tunisia. Pre- and post-training tests were conducted to assess the level of acquisition. Flyers for patients and their families were prepared and distributed through primary care physicians during these training sessions. The results of the assessment of practice by tracer patient shows a large difference between reality and the written pathway due to: the lack of human and material ressources, non-updating of drug availability and health professionals' resistance to change.
Simultaneously, an update to the hospital drug nomenclature was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to provide hypertension medications in accordance with written recommendations.
Conclusion: Ultimately, the care pathway developed by INEAS can contribute to improving the implementation of CPGs, fostering consistency in clinical practices for better patient management.