Evaluación de herramientas de implementación de la Guía de Práctica Clínica de infecciones de transmisión sexual

OBJECTIVE. Determine the acceptability, perceived usefulness, and adoption of implementation tools and technical assistance provided by the Health Technology Assessment Institute (IETS) in hospitals in two regions of Colombia. METHODS. Assistance was provided for implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in 24 hospitals (17 in Antioquia and seven in Cundinamarca) in areas with high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, and for use of the implementation tools. Health professionals were given surveys and medical specialists were interviewed. RESULTS. Overall, 86% of respondents are familiar with the GPGs, 86% with the tracer recommendations, 79% with the interactive flow charts, and 82% with the evidence sheets, while 41% never used the implementation tools. Of the respondents who used the tools, 55% did so on their work computer, while 24% used their personal telephone. The most useful tools were the evidence sheets and flow charts (98%) and the tracer recommendations (92%). The least useful were the budgetary impact tools (81%). CONCLUSIONS. The implementation tools and technical assistance provided in hospitals in two regions of Colombia are perceived as useful and acceptable, although the degree of implementation is low. The findings of this research will help the different actors, such as the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the IETS, and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias), among others, improve their programs for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines.