The legal status or the medico-legal significance of officially approved or endorsed clinical decision support and quality improvement tools like; (i) 'Evidence-Based' Clinical Practice Guidelines, (ii) Protocols, (iii) Integrated Care Pathways, and (iv) Policies and Procedures has been a long-standing debate that often have a positive or even a negative effect on the compliance of different healthcare providers especially physicians.
I would like to open a discussion on your perspective and perception of that concept and what is the reality in your healthcare context in your country or region (insight from all clinical specialties is appreciated)?