Ontario cervical cancer screening clinical practice guidelines.
OBJECTIVE
To develop clinical practice guidelines for cervical screening and the primary management of abnormal cytology in Ontario, using an established methodological process.


METHODS
Primary data sources were relevant articles listed in the Medline (1998 to July 2004), Embase (1998 to July 2004), and Cochrane Library (2004, Issue 2) databases.


METHODS
Studies addressing quality or the optimization of cervical screening were considered eligible in the systematic review of the evidence. Specifically, clinical practice guidelines, technology assessments, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials were of primary interest. Given the variability of the data, other information sources were considered eligible if there was a demonstrated gap in the published literature.


METHODS
Data were identified and extracted by a methodologist and reviewed by four authors. Results were reviewed and discussed by members of an expert working group consisting of a diverse group of health professionals with expertise in cervical cancer. Data audits were conducted by independent reviewers.


RESULTS
recommendations with evidence ratings were developed through a review of the evidence with expert consensus and were approved by more than 80% of 40 external practitioners who reviewed the document and responded to a standardized survey.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of comprehensive recommendations on cervical screening in Ontario was feasible using a rigorous methodological process. Recommendations for practice are provided.
Meg McLachlin
C
C
London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London.
Mai
Verna
V
Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto.
Murphy
Joan
J
Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto.
Fung-Kee-Fung
Michael
M
Ottawa General Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa.
Chambers
Alexandra
A
Program in Evidence-Based Care, Cancer Care Ontario, Hamilton.
Oliver
Thomas K
TK
Program in Evidence-Based Care, Cancer Care Ontario, Hamilton.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*