Clinical Document Development and Methodology

A document similar to a clinical practice guideline; however, the recommendations are tailored narrowly to specifically address when it is “appropriate” to use a procedure. In this case, “appropriate” refers to a procedure for which the benefits far exceed the risks or where the different benefits can be derived through the choice of the appropriate procedure; recommendations are tailored generally to the characteristics of the patient rather than processes of the provider.

A statement on a particular procedure, treatment, or process that generally is agreed upon as representing the current best practice for the topic. Clinical consensus documents are produced by a group of experts with the purpose of providing clinicians with a basis for making sound clinical decisions. Consensus statements generally do not provide specific recommendations but rather seek to synthesize new information, typically from recent research that may have implications for clinical decision making. The aim of consensus statements is to optimize patient care particularly where evidence is equivocal and the clinician is less certain about the choice of strategy.

Statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care. They are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options and guide clinicians and the patients they serve, reduce practice variation and resource utilization, and identify gaps in the evidence base. Clinical practice guidelines also support health-care policy and advocacy and improve quality of care and cost-effectiveness of interventions.

A statement that is based on reviews of existing guidelines produced by other groups or organizations. A guidance statement may or may not endorse the recommendations in clinical practice guidelines produced by other organizations, either in whole or part, but should include the necessary rationale for any endorsement based on a review of the literature, recommendations in existing high-quality guidelines, and consideration of the needs and values of the members and their patients.

Brief fact-based summaries of any given Academy advocacy issue.

A statement supported by available scientific evidence and/or expert opinion put forth by the American Academy of Audiology consistent with intrinsic and/or extrinsic organizational goals and objectives. Position statements may address clinical, economic, political, organizational, or controversial topics, and, as such, may be developed through scientific review, consensus, or vote.

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A statement (adopted by the Board of Directors) that establishes the official position of the Academy on a matter of public policy and serves as the basis for the Academy’s action. Public policy resolutions are generally used to develop the Academy’s public policy agenda and determine the Academy’s position on proposed laws or regulations.

Testimony or account of factual information related to professional issues issued by the American Academy of Audiology. Recommendations from reports could lead to the development of any of the other listed document types.

Declaration of services provided by qualified audiologists based on education and associated qualifications of professionals issued by the American Academy of Audiology.

A scientific investigation that focuses on a specific question; it uses explicit, planned scientific methods to identify, select, assess, and summarize the findings of similar but separate studies; it may or may not include a quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis) of the results from separate studies.

Formal comments submitted by the Academy generally in response to government-proposed laws/regulations.