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ACADEMIA AND CLINIC
How to Read the New Recommendation Statement: Methods Update from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Mary B. Barton, MD, MPP;
Therese Miller, DrPH;
Tracy Wolff, MD, MPH;
Diana Petitti, MD, MPH;
Michael LeFevre, MD, MSPH;
George Sawaya, MD;
Barbara Yawn, MD, MS, MSc;
Janelle Guirguis-Blake, MD;
Ned Calonge, MD, MPH;
Russell Harris, MD, MPH, for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
17 July 2007 | Volume 147 Issue 2
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.
Author and Article Information
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From the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland.
Acknowledgment: The authors thank Jan Genevro for her creativity and expertise in professional communication and invaluable contributions to the creation of the 1-page summary document.
Grant Support: The work of the USPSTF is supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.
Requests for Single Reprints: Reprints are available from the USPSTF Web site (www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov) and from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Publications Clearinghouse (800-358-9295 or e-mail at AHRQPubs{at}ahrq.hhs.gov).
