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About RANZCP guidelines and clinical resources
The RANZCP produce and endorse a broad range of guidance to help psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in their work.
This page provides an overview of the types of guidance available in the clinical guidelines & publications library.
Best Practice Resources
A Best Practice Resource has met RANZCP criteria for evidence base, relevance and ability to improve the profession of psychiatry. A Best Practice Resource may be produced by the RANZCP or another organisation. BPRs vary in topic, format and purpose and may include clinical guidelines, reports, papers, standards, evidence reviews or other clinical tools.
More about Best Practice Resources and how to submit a proposal
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are systematically developed guidelines to assist practitioners in making decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. They aim to improve care and optimise outcomes for individuals and the community by synthesising and analysing up-to-date evidence, and by translating research funding and new insights into clinical practice. CPGs have a limited life. They require regular review to be updated considering appropriate new evidence that may emerge. Alongside the specific CPGs, additional evidence and further guidance and resources is detailed to guide up-to-date recommendations within an evidence-based framework.
Browse clinical practice guidelines
Professional practice guidelines
Professional practice guidelines (PPGs) assist members in providing professional practice in particular areas. They guide professional, innovative, efficient, and effective practice. These guidelines cover a broad range of topics including the ethical aspects associated with professional practice, and practical measures to implement change or make improvements to practice. PPGs are reviewed every 3– 5 years to ensure currency.
Browse professional practice guidelines
Clinical memoranda
Clinical memoranda (CM) provide important clinical information relevant to psychiatry, particularly where there is debate about a particular aspect of clinical practice or the practice is emerging. CM provide evidence-based statements in response to a topical clinical issue, and review or provide an overview of a current practice and/or an anticipated change to clinical practice. Clinical memoranda are reviewed every 1 – 2 years to ensure currency.
Position statements
Position statements provide a response to medico-political, psychosocial, and medical service issues with the aim to influence and advocate for improvements to psychiatric and medical service delivery, education, and research. They are informed by evidence. Position statements are reviewed every 3 years to ensure currency.
Occasional papers and reports
Reports are comprehensive documents that review and promote best practice, and advocate for improved strategies for the delivery of mental health. They are written for selected topics at selected times and have no specific review date.
Submissions
Submissions are provided in response to consultation documents on specific topics issued by a range of external stakeholders including governments. They are used to influence policy and practice being developed by organisations external to the RANZCP. They are written for selected topics at selected times and have no review date.
For further information contact policy@ranzcp.org
