title: Ontario cervical cancer screening clinical practice guidelines.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meg McLachlin
authors.affiliation: Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto.
authors.forename: Verna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.affiliation: Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Ottawa General Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fung-Kee-Fung
authors.affiliation: Program in Evidence-Based Care, Cancer Care Ontario, Hamilton.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: Program in Evidence-Based Care, Cancer Care Ontario, Hamilton.
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Oliver
mesh_terms: 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*