15 - Specific and unambiguous recommendations

The recommendations are specific and unambiguous.

User’s Manual Description:

A recommendation should provide a concrete and precise description of which option is appropriate in which situation and in what population group, as informed by the body of evidence.

• An example of a specific recommendation is: Antibiotics should be prescribed in children two years or older with a diagnosis of acute otitis media if the pain lasts longer than three days or if the pain increases after the consultation despite adequate treatment with painkillers; in these cases, amoxicillin should be given for 7 days (supplied with a dosage scheme).
• An example of a vague recommendation is: Antibiotics are indicated for cases with an abnormal or complicated course.

It is important to note that in some instances, evidence is not always clear cut and there may be uncertainty about the best care option(s). In this case, the uncertainty should be stated in the guideline.

Where to Look:

Define and examine the recommendations in the guideline. Examples of commonly labeled sections or chapters in a guideline where this information can be found include: recommendations and executive summary.

How to Rate:

Item content includes the following CRITERIA:

• statement of the recommended action
• identification of the intent or purpose of the recommended action (e.g., to improve quality of life, to decrease side effects)
• identification of the relevant population (e.g., patients, public)
• caveats or qualifying statements, if relevant (e.g., patients or conditions for whom the recommendations would not apply)

Additional CONSIDERATIONS:

• In the event of multiple recommendations (e.g., management guidelines), is there clarity regarding to whom each recommendation applies?
• If there is uncertainty in the interpretation and discussion of the evidence, is the uncertainty reflected in the recommendations and explicitly stated?

Melissa C. Brouwers ...(see below)

AGREE II: advancing guideline development, reporting and evaluation in health care

Melissa C. Brouwers, Michelle E. Kho, George P. Browman, Jako S. Burgers, Francoise Cluzeau, GeneFeder, Béatrice Fervers, Ian D. Graham, Jeremy Grimshaw, Steven E. Hanna, Peter Littlejohns, JulieMakarski, Louise Zitzelsberger

 

Source:

CMAJ Dec 2010, 182 (18) E839-E842; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.090449

Page history

Last modified by Gerritjan Koekkoek on 2024/04/17 13:07

Created by Gerritjan Koekkoek on 2024/04/17 13:07