• Peter Kranke, Arash Afshari, Patrick Meybohm, Wolfgang Buhre, Stephanie Wiege, and Carolina S Romero.
• From the University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, Würzburg, Germany (PK, PM), Department of Paediatric and Obstetric Anaesthesia, Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet & Department of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Denmark (AA), Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Vital Functions, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands (WB), Ulsenheimer Friederich Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB, Munich, Germany (SW), General University Hospital Valencia, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine (CR), and Research Methods Department, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain (CR).
• Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2024 Feb 1; 41 (2): 109114109-114.

AbstractMedical practice guidelines (MPGs) are important in medicine to ensure well tolerated and effective healthcare. They provide evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals in daily clinical settings. MPGs help patients and practitioners make informed decisions, ensure quality of care, allocate healthcare resources effectively and reduce legal liability. MPGs have medicolegal implications, as they influence clinical decision-making and patient outcomes, which can impact liability and malpractice cases. They define the standard of care within the healthcare industry and provide best practice recommendations. MPGs are a cornerstone of the informed consent process, as they facilitate a shared decision support system and they provide valuable evidence-based recommendations on various treatments or medical options. Finally, MPGs are also relevant in medical claims; thus, adherence to MPGs is highly encouraged in order to assure the best medical care. Nonetheless, MPGs have limitations and we advocate for wise usage of MPGs combined with the expertise of trained physicians that allows for individualisation and evidence-based recommendations. In this review, we describe the potential legal implications that MPGs may represent for healthcare providers and the role that MPGs have in daily practice at different stages in the doctor--patient relationship.Copyright © 2023 European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

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