- learn about different tools (i.e. care paths, clinical practice guidelines, algorithms, protocols, routine doctor’s orders, etc. and when to use each of these tools)
- gather examples related to your clinical program or area of speciality
- network with others who have done work in this area
- document, describe, and draw a current care model for patient populations in your clinical speciality (e.g. who delivers the and how they are organized to deliver it)
- identify and define the criteria for selecting patient population for tool development
- identify and define the patient population of interest, such as patient groups with known, unexplained or unnecessary variation in practice which could be associated with:
- high volume
- complex treatment regime
- high risk for adverse outcomes
- personal interest
- high cost
- long length of stay
- define the goal and objectives of your project
- determine the appropriate tool or set of tools
- ensure sponsorship
- develop a work plan and organize a project team; lay out responsibilities and a time frame for a cost-effective process
Page Created: August 19, 1999 by Program in Evidence-Based Care Cancer Care Ontario. Page Reviewed: June 4, 2002. Page removed from CCO site February 2003
Page re-posted by The Brondesbury Group April 2003; checked November 2005 Web Queries: webmaster@brondesbury.com