A review of grading systems for evidence-based guidelines produced by medical specialties.

Overview

Title:

A review of grading systems for evidence-based guidelines produced by medical specialties.

Authors:

Baker A, Young K, Potter J, Madan I

Journal:

Clin Med

Publication date:

2010

Volume:

10

Issue:

4

First page:

358

Last page:

63

ISSN:

1470-2118

Link to pubmed:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20849010

Publication type:

Journal

Free text

The development of evidence-based guidelines requires scrupulous attention to the method of critical appraisal. Many critical appraisal systems give 'gold standard' status to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) due to their ability to limit bias. While guidelines with a prominent research base consisting of RCTs have been well served by such systems, specialist societies with research bases consisting of a wide range of study designs have been at a disadvantage, potentially leading to inappropriately low grades being given for recommendations. A review of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, the Graphic Appraisal Tool for Epidemiology and the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions grading systems was therefore undertaken. A matrix was developed suggesting the optimum grading system for the type of guideline being developed or question being addressed by a specialist society.

 

Preview

A review of grading systems for evidence-based guidelines produced by medical specialties. Baker A, Young K, Potter J, Madan I. Clin Med 2010; 10(4):358-63.