Explain the grading system adopted by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) versus that adopted by the Guide to Community Preventive Services

Answer 1

To communicate the effectiveness of data and strength of evidence about clinical preventive care to health care practitioners, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force adopted a letter grade system. After reviews of published research, clinical behaviors are assigned one of five letter grades. Grade A recommendations are highly recommended. Grade B actions are also recommended with high certainty that the net benefit is at least moderate. Grade C actions are to be considered on an individual patient basis, and Grade D actions are not recommended. Grade I means there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the service. The evidence may be lacking, of poor quality, or conflicting.
In contrast, the Guide to Community Preventive Services uses a three-tier system: recommended, recommended against, and insufficient evidence. Because evidence exists on a continuum, practitioners seek to use the best available information, which can be derived through information about the outcomes the context, and professional insight, in their decision-making.

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