Integrated care pathways are structured multidisciplinary care plans that detail essential steps in the care of patients with specific clinical problems. They aim to translate national guidelines into local protocols and improve systematic collection and abstraction of clinical data for audit and practice change. Despite their potential, the effectiveness of integrated care pathways in improving patient care is uncertain, and few evaluations have been conducted. The pathways facilitate the introduction of evidence-based guidelines, improve communication with patients, and reduce hospital stays and costs. However, concerns include the time and resource investment required, potential discouragement of individual clinical judgment, and the need for leadership and good communication to implement them successfully. Future developments may extend these pathways into primary care and community settings, and technology may enhance their use through electronic forms and data entry. Despite limited robust evidence, some specific elements of integrated care pathways have shown promise in improving patient care. Further evaluations are needed to refine and measure their effectiveness.Integrated care pathways are structured multidisciplinary care plans that detail essential steps in the care of patients with specific clinical problems. They aim to translate national guidelines into local protocols and improve systematic collection and abstraction of clinical data for audit and practice change. Despite their potential, the effectiveness of integrated care pathways in improving patient care is uncertain, and few evaluations have been conducted. The pathways facilitate the introduction of evidence-based guidelines, improve communication with patients, and reduce hospital stays and costs. However, concerns include the time and resource investment required, potential discouragement of individual clinical judgment, and the need for leadership and good communication to implement them successfully. Future developments may extend these pathways into primary care and community settings, and technology may enhance their use through electronic forms and data entry. Despite limited robust evidence, some specific elements of integrated care pathways have shown promise in improving patient care. Further evaluations are needed to refine and measure their effectiveness.