title: How to read the new recommendation statement: methods update from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petitti
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: LeFevre
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sawaya
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yawn
authors.forename: Janelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guirguis-Blake
authors.forename: Ned
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Calonge
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: 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