#131 – Drawing the Line: The Writing, Reach, and Limits of Guidelines

#131 – Drawing the Line: The Writing, Reach, and Limits of Guidelines

Author: Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists February 23, 2026 Duration: 1:00:17

In this third collaboration between SIDP’s Breakpoints and ESCMID’s Communicable podcasts, hosts Erin McCreary and Angela Huttner invite two veteran authors of guidelines and guidances, Pranita Tamma (Philadelphia, USA) and Benedikt Huttner (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland) [1-3]. Together, they deconstruct the complex landscape of developing and implementing guidelines into digestible components: they discuss why different organizations develop guidelines and what need they hope to fulfil, the framework including the GRADE methodology under which guidelines are written, and major barriers in the uptake of guidelines. The conversation also details the distinction between guideline and guidance as well as the art and science behind formulating recommendations or suggestions, with a few anecdotal cases sprinkled in from the panel.

References

1. WHO handbook for guideline development, 2nd Edition, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548960

2. The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240062382

3. IDSA 2024 Guidance on the Treatment of Antimicrobial Resistant Gram-Negative Infections, https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/amr-guidance/

Learn more about the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists: https://sidp.org/About

Twitter: @SIDPharm (https://twitter.com/SIDPharm)

Instagram: @SIDPharm (https://www.instagram.com/sidpharm/)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidprx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sidp/

SIDP welcomes pharmacists and non-pharmacist members with an interest in infectious diseases, learn how to join here: https://sidp.org/Become-a-Member

Listen to Breakpoints on iTunes, Overcast, Spotify, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, Blubrry, RadioPublic, or by using our RSS feed: https://sidp.pinecast.co/


Hosted by the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, Breakpoints is a podcast dedicated to the intricate and ever-evolving world of antimicrobial therapy. Each episode delves into the practical challenges and scientific nuances faced by pharmacists on the front lines of patient care, from interpreting susceptibility data and optimizing dosing strategies to navigating the complexities of antimicrobial stewardship. The conversations in this podcast bridge the gap between groundbreaking infectious diseases research and its direct application in clinical settings, offering insights that are both academically rigorous and immediately useful. You’ll hear expert discussions on new resistance patterns, evolving treatment guidelines, and the real-world implementation of life-saving protocols. Designed for healthcare professionals committed to precision medicine, Breakpoints provides a deeper understanding of how to effectively manage infections and improve patient outcomes. Tune in for thoughtful analysis and forward-thinking dialogue that defines the critical role of specialized pharmacists in public health.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Breakpoints
Podcast Episodes
#134 – ESCMID Global Trials: PETER PEN and ASTARTE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:15
Professor Mical Paul and Professor Jesús Rodríguez-Baño join Professor Josh Davis and Dr Erin McCreary for a special Breakpoints and Communicable podcast collaboration. This episode discusses the ‘Trials Run’ session at…
#130 – Dosing Consult: Amoxicillin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:17
Drs. Ted Morton and Christine Lockowitz join Dr. Ryan Moenster to discuss all things amoxicillin, particularly in our pediatric patients. Our guests answer common questions, such as, what formulations should be used for…
#129 – Game of Spores: Blasto, Histo, Crypto, and Cocci [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:58
We’re starting 2026 off with a BLAST as Dr. Gregory Eschenauer and Dr. George R Thompson make their Breakpoints debut to discuss Blastomyces, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, and Cryptococcus. They join host Erin McCreary in r…
#128 – IDWeek 2025 Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:54
Ring in the end of the year with our Breakpoints hosts and a review of all things IDWeek 2025! Join Drs. Erin McCreary, Julie Ann Justo, Whitney Buckel, and Ryan Moenster as they cover top late breaking abstracts, new st…
#127 – What’s Pneu in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:27
As promised, our host Dr, Ryan Moenster is back and breaking down the recently published ATS pneumonia guidelines — what’s pneu, what’s controversial, and what it means for your antimicrobial game! Dr. Whitney Hartlage (…
#126 – What’s the Microbiome Gut to Do with It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
Dr. Julie Ann Justo is joined by experts Drs. Krista Gens and Javier A. Villafuerte Gálvez as they dive deep into the gut microbiome and explore the latest therapeutic frontier for C. difficile infections. From bacteria…
#124 – Dosing Consult: Cefepime [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:08
Drs. Erin Barreto (@erin_barreto) and Jeffrey Lipman join Dr. Whitney Buckel for a conversation on ideal dosing of cefepime. Hear from the experts on the differences between package insert and “high-dose” regimens, adjus…