Clinical Practice Guidelines Information
AAP Clinical Practice Guidelines are developed using an evidence-based approach, combining the best research available with expert consensus on best practice. Experts in the content area and in guideline development join together to create recommendations that are timely and easily implemented in practice. To view all AAP clinical practice guidelines, visit http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/ practice_guidelines/index.dtl

Classifying Recommendations for Clinical Practice Guidelines
The 2004 AAP policy statement, "Classifying Recommendations for Clinical Practice Guidelines," addresses the need for transparency and rating of the strength of recommendations in clinical practice guidelines, the AAP Steering Committee on Quality Improvement and Management (SCOQIM) recently received approval to develop a statement on transparency in other AAP documents including policy statements, clinical reports, and technical reports. The statement will clarify the need for transparency, even when the evidence is lacking, stressing the point that making a statement based on expert consensus is acceptable, as long as this is clearly communicated to the reader.

Toward Transparant Clinical Policies
This 2008 AAP policy statement, "Toward Transparent Clinical Policies" addresses the need for transparency, even when the evidence is lacking. The statement emphasizes that consensus-based statements are acceptable but should be clearly communicated as such to the reader.

For further information, e-mail dhcfqi@aap.org or call 847/434-4317.

National Guideline Clearinghouse

Cochrane Collaboration

Medline Plus

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