The Trimbos Institute plays an important role in coordinating and monitoring the process of guideline development. Relevant stakeholders are involved in the development of new guidelines.
Formulation of new guidelines
For years the Trimbos Institute has been using a recognised methodology for evidence-based guideline development (EBGD) in its formulation of new guidelines. In 2008 the Trimbos Institute started to perform the necessary literature reviews itself when developing new guidelines in collaboration with the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement CBO. This additional professionalization guarantees maximum objectivity, especially at the start of the guideline process.
In this new approach, epidemiologists draw up a list of conclusions based on the literature review. They present these conclusions to the study group working on a particular guideline. The members of the study group then make a number of recommendations. Following this, all the conclusions, considerations and recommendations are passed on to the relevant professional associations for further commentary. After the comments have been processed, the professional associations finally establish an authorized guideline.
Breakthrough projects of the Multidisciplinary Guidelines
In 2008 the Breakthrough projects of the Multidisciplinary Guidelines for Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders and Depression were completed. 25 Breakthrough teams from primary health care and 50 Breakthrough teams from the specialist mental health services (GGZ) were involved in the implementation of these guidelines. In order to encourage health workers to (continue to) work according to the guidelines, the Trimbos Institute initiated a quality assurance project. The initiative included a new website providing instruments to promote working in accordance with the current guidelines. Recently Trimbos also initiated a helpdesk (IDé GGZ’) to support the implementation of the guidelines.
Guidelines published in 2008:
• Senior Citizens Addendum to the Multidisciplinary Guideline for Depression
• Senior Citizens Addendum to the Multidisciplinary Guideline for Anxiety Disorders
• Client version of the Multidisciplinary Guideline for ADHD in Children and Young Adults
• Client version of the Multidisciplinary Guideline for Schizophrenia
• Summary of the Multidisciplinary Guideline for Eating Disorders
• Summary of the Multidisciplinary Guideline for Personality Disorders
Guidelines in development:
• Revision of the Multidisciplinary Guideline for Schizophrenia
• Multidisciplinary Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Patients showing Suicidal Behaviour
