AAFP-Endorsement of Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines Developed by External Organizations

In February 2009, the AAFP Board of Directors approved a process for endorsement of clinical practice guidelines developed by external organizations. Clinical practice guidelines that are relevant to family medicine may be reviewed by the AAFP and categorized as:

(1) ENDORSED– the AAFP fully endorses the guideline;

(2) ENDORSED WITH RESERVATIONS– the AAFP endorses the guideline or portions of the guideline with reservations. The reservations are described (e.g. target populations not sufficiently specified, an evidence report with minor methodological flaw, etc.)

(3) NOT ENDORSED – the AAFP does not endorse the guideline and the reasons are stated.

All clinical practice guidelines considered for endorsement by the AAFP go through a structured review process [AAFP Guidelines Assessment form] by the AAFP’s Commission on Health of the Public and Science with Board approval.

• Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal (GBS)-- Disease-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Endorsed with Reservations* April 2010)
{*Reservations are: 1. an evidence report was not conducted and the literature search strategy and the literature rating was not described and 2. there was no conflict of interest policy described.}