Establishing the validity and reliability of clinical practice guidelines used to identify families requiring increased health visitor support

One of health visitors' main roles is that of case finding and actively searching for health needs. This paper describes part of the findings of a study evaluating the clinical practice guidelines issued to health visitors to assist them in identifying families requiring increased health visitor support. A postal questionnaire was distributed to all Community Trust Chief Nurses in England (179), employing health visiting staff. The aim of the questionnaire was to assess the extent to which clinical guidelines are used throughout the country to identify families requiring extra health visiting support and to examine their validity and reliability. The survey results confirm the widespread existence of clinical guidelines in England to assist health visitors in identifying vulnerable families requiring extra support. The study provides evidence that the guidelines are largely subjective and invalid in nature. Questions are raised about the relationship between clinical guidelines and professional judgements.