[Evidence-based guideline development in the Netherlands: the EBRO platform].

In the Netherlands many institutes, associations and professional organisations are active in the development of guidelines for clinical practice. In 1997, the Dutch Cochrane Centre and the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement (CBO) took the initiative and set up a national platform of guideline organisations (currently 28 in number) with the aim of harmonising methodology and promoting evidence-based guideline development. In 2003 the Guidelines International Network (G-I-N) was founded with similar goals but at international level. The Dutch platform (EBRO) offers the opportunity to establish a network that will plan and execute guideline development and updating. This will prevent duplication of efforts and controversy between stakeholders. Another task will be the promotion and transfer of knowledge on evidence-based guideline development by organising conferences and educational programmes. The ultimate goal is to support health-care providers in improving quality of patient care.