Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW as it relates to this educational activity. Disclosed conflict of interest information will be reviewed initially by the chair, the ACCP staff, and any additional planning committee member, to determine if further review is necessary. The initial review is to be evaluative. All relevant information for each member will be reviewed and a final determination made as to whether a conflict of interest situation exists.

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the Health and Science Policy (HSP) Committee strive to produce high-quality, unbiased evidence-based guidelines. As such, HSP Committee policy requires full disclosure by all guideline authors, editors, and reviewers of all potential conflicts of interest (COI) related to ACCP activities, real or perceived, including those that are unrelated to the guideline topic.

Purpose The intent of disclosure of any potential conflict of interest is to ensure that the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) standards provide a balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous product. The ACCP requires each panel or committee member, reviewer, and other participants, who will provide content or methodologic expertise, to disclose all information regarding any possible conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

The online application for submitting topic suggestions for evidence-based clinical practice guideline development is designed to facilitate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of potential guideline topics in compliance with ACCP standards. It also serves as a tool to assist the ACCP Health and Science Policy (HSP) Committee with providing effective oversight, planning, review, and support for guideline development.

The HSP Committee and its Guidelines Subcommittee review and prioritize guideline topics for development or revision based on established criteria (see below). Proposed topics must be accompanied by a body of supporting evidence. Without that evidence, the topic may be referred to the ACCP NetWorks for consideration for development of a non-evidence-based consensus statement.

Criteria to be considered when selecting topics: Conditions in which the diagnosis and management of the disease could be significantly improved by a change in practice A body of published evidence exists on which to base the guideline The topic has a wide variability in practice The range of topics reflects the constituency of the College and crosses over various disciplines of the College The topic is controversial The topic includes interventions that potentially have high economic cost The topic is of interest and importance to public health

Anyone is welcome to submit a topic for consideration. ACCP membership is not required.

The ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline (EBG) application is designed to facilitate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of potential EBG topics that will comply with ACCP standards. It also serves as a tool that will assist the ACCP Health and Science Policy (HSP) Committee in providing effective review, planning, and support for EBG development.

The ACCP typically develops up to 3 EBGs a year. The HSP Committee reviews EBG topics based on established criteria for EBG development. If the proposed topic does not have a body of supporting evidence-based data, the topic may be referred to the ACCP NetWorks, at which point the development of a consensus statement could be considered. In order for the HSP Committee to review each proposal, all fields of the application are to be completed and submitted along with any supporting documentation. Supporting documentation (if applicable) should be sent to Sandra Zelman Lewis, PhD, Assistant Vice President, HSP and QI.

In order for a proposed topic to be considered for the upcoming fiscal year, the proposed topic application must be submitted by October 31st of the calendar year.

Evidence-based medicine is defined as the best research evidence combined with clinical expertise and the patient’s values and consideration, where:

Best research evidence means valid and clinically relevant research, especially from patient-centered clinical research into the accuracy of diagnostic tests; the power of prognostic markers; and the efficacy and safety of therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive interventions.