Current Processes: Refining Evidence-based Recommendation Development - Table 2

Table 2. Aims and Processes of the USPSTF to Ensure Integrity^a

Goal	Process
Transparency	Standardized methodology described in methods papers published on the USPSTF Web site. (https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org) and in peer-reviewed journals;^b updates of this methodology in upcoming issues of Annals of Internal Medicine. Publication of all evidence reports and recommendations on the USPSTF Web site. Topics in progress posted on the USPSTF Web site. Federal Register notice soliciting new member and new topic nominations.
Accountability	Conflict of interest policy for EPC researchers and USPSTF members. Process for prioritizing topics for review by the USPSTF. Peer review of EPC evidence syntheses and all USPSTF recommendation statements by content experts in federal and professional organizations. Updating to keep recommendations consistent with current literature.
Consistency	Systematic reviews of the literature on effectiveness and harms (https://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/evidence-based-reports/index.html. Use of outcomes tables to assess balance of benefits and harms. Evidence grid defining letter grades. Standardized language for recommendations.
Independence	Evidence review process. Voting process (members only). Meeting attendance by invitation. Formalized communication between USPSTF and stakeholders.

^a EPC = Evidence-based Practice Center; USPSTF = U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
^b References:
- Methods Work Group, Third U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Current methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: a review of the process. Am J Prev Med 2001;20:21-35. [PMID: 11306229]
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Routine aspirin or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for the primary prevention of colorectal cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med 2007;146:361-4.
- Whitlock EP, Garlitz BA, Harris EL, Beil TL, Smith PR. Screening for hereditary hemochromatosis: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2006;145:209-23. [PMID: 16880463]
- Barton MB, Miller T, Wolff T, Petitti D, LeFevre M, Sawaya G, et al. How to read the new recommendation statement: methods update from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2007;147:123-7.

Current as of: June 2007