| [ Summary ] |
Efforts have been made since 1999 in Japan to develop clinical guidelines for a certain number of diseases by experts in respective areas, based on the concept of Evidence-Based Medicine, with funding support from the health ministry's research fund. With the intellectual achievements of these efforts, a web-based information service is being prepared by a non-profit foundation to provide medical doctors and patients with qualified and updated information on standard medical practices for diseases covered by the abovementioned guidelines. Further discussion should be conducted among concerned parties, not only within the medical community but also with patients, regarding the nature of clinical guidelines, their development, proper use and distribution. It is hoped that sound and open discussion on clinical guidelines will pave the way for improved medical care. |