Adolopment of clinical practice guidelines and creation of referral pathways for dermatological conditions in Pakistan.

Abstract

This Health Policy discusses the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and referral pathways tailored for dermatological conditions in Pakistan's primary care setting. Recognising the high burden of skin diseases among primary care consultations, a panel of dermatology experts reviewed sixteen high-quality source CPGs using the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT process to adapt, adopt, or exclude recommendations for local relevance. Management and referral algorithms were designed to guide general physicians, with additional recommendations provided to address identified gaps, such as the safe use of steroids. The final output comprised CPGs and referral pathways for ten common skin disorders, ensuring local relevance by excluding unsuitable recommendations. This initiative aims to standardise dermatological care, improve patient outcomes, and streamline referrals within Pakistan's healthcare system.