Grades for Recommendations, 2003–2006
SUMMARY To assist physicians and other users of the work of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC), our recommendations for clinical preventive actions are now organized into 6 letter grades or categories based on synthesis and evaluation of the best available evidence. We have recently made several refinements that we hope till he helpful to those who use our work. The changes reflect the ongoing evolution of methodology and reporting, both within our group and in the larger context of evidence-based medicine.
NEW GRADE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CANADIAN TASK FORCE ON PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR SPECIFIC CLINICAL PREVENTIVE ACTION
A – There is good evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action
B – There is fair evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action
C – The existing evidence is conflicting and does not allow to make a recommendation for or against use of the clinical preventive action; however, other factors may influence decision-making
D – There is fair evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive action
E – There is good evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive action
I – There is insufficient evidence (in quantity and quality) to make a recommendation; however, other factors may influence decision-making