The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system is widely used and considered the standard in guideline development. In GRADE, grades have two components: a two-level representation of the strength of recommendation (strong or weak) and a four-level representation of the quality of the evidence (high, moderate, low, and very low).
Video: Overview of the GRADE approach in guideline development
A clinical algorithm or flow chart is a written guide in graphic format that represents stepwise procedures for clinical decision making about the evaluation and management of a clinical problem. It serves to organize thought in a logical and visible way for medical education and patient care (Margolis 1983, Hadorn 1992).
The clinical practice algorithms developed for MD Anderson depict multidisciplinary best practices to assist in cancer screening, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, management of clinical symptoms and transition to survivor care. The development of practice algorithms used a multidisciplinary approach and took into consideration circumstances particular to MD Anderson, including the following: MD Anderson’s specific patient population, our services and structure and our clinical information. However, these algorithms are not intended to replace the independent medical or professional judgment of physicians or other health care providers.
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One of the essential steps for developing evidence-based clinical practice algorithms is to perform a systematic literature review. A librarian can assist you in the literature review process by finding the evidence effectively and efficiently. You can request a literature search by using Clinical Effectiveness Literature Search Request Form.
The previous literature search projects for creating clinical practice algorithms can be found at Research Medical Library SharePoint Site. (To request access, please contact the librarian.)