Background
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Guidelines for
preventive activities in general practice (the ‘red book’) are now more
than 20 years old. Therefore it is an important juncture to reflect on their
appropriateness and implementation, and how they can be improved
in future editions.
Objective
This review analyses the guidelines and their development against
criteria identified by the AGREE collaboration to ensure the quality and
applicability for use in Australian general practice.
Discussion
The ‘red book’ is widely accepted as supporting the provision of
preventive care and is now a key element of the quality system in
Australian general practice. This independent guideline has rigor,
relevance and applicability to general practice. However, its impact
on practice could be improved by broader consultation and by using a
wider range of means for dissemination and implementation. This needs
to be informed by more rigorous evaluation of its implementation and
impact on practice.
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