How to read the new recommendation statement: methods update from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Since 2001, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has worked to refine its methods of evidence review and assessment and to create more usable documents in response to clinicians' needs. These changes have resulted in a revised grading system, as well as a new format and new language for the recommendation statement. This paper focuses on the changes to and the new look of the USPSTF recommendation statement. The new recommendation statement comprises 9 sections. Important changes include standardization of the format of the summary statement to specify what service is being recommended in what population; standardization of the headings in the rationale section; a change in the wording of the grade C recommendation and the I statement; and a new section, called "Other Considerations," in which salient issues related to cost-effectiveness, mandates, and other implementation issues are described.
Barton
Mary B
MB
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
Miller
Therese
T
Wolff
Tracy
T
Petitti
Diana
D
LeFevre
Michael
M
Sawaya
George
G
Yawn
Barbara
B
Guirguis-Blake
Janelle
J
Calonge
Ned
N
Harris
Russell
R
D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D033181:Information Dissemination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States