[Practice guidelines and accreditation: highlights from 50 years of quality management by the Dutch College of General Practitioners].

The Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) was established 50 years ago in response to the threatened position of general practitioners in The Netherlands. The NHG promotes quality care in general practice by aiding in the translation of scientific evidence into daily practice. The NHG practice guidelines form the core of its quality improvement programme, which comprises a cohesive package of continuing educational materials that support adoption in daily practice. The NHG practice accreditation programme is a new method for measuring and improving practice quality. This programme provides the basis for granting stamps of quality to general practices.