Implementing evidence-based health care: the nurse teachers’ role in supporting the dissemination and implementation of SIGN clinical guidelines

The effectiveness of clinical care and treatment is central to the quality of health care. Clinical guidelines, audit and research are interrelated activities central to the delivery of high quality services and care. A culture is required that supports the implementation of clinical guidelines and encourages clinicians to critically appraise and evaluate their practice and to become more involved in clinical audit and research. An essential element in the effective implementation of clinical guidelines is educational support. This paper will describe the results of a study which explored the nature of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and the nurse teachers’ role in supporting the dissemination and implementation of clinical guidelines within acute care nursing and subsequent curriculum design.