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

Adrian Baker, Katharine Young, Jonathan Potter, Ira Madan*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    44 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)358-363
    Number of pages6
    JournalClinical medicine (London, England)
    Volume10
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2010

    Keywords

    • Evidence-Based Medicine
    • Humans
    • Practice Guidelines as Topic
    • Quality Assurance, Health Care
    • Specialization
    • Journal Article
    • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    • Review

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