Clinical Practice Guidelines

What is a Clinical Practice Guideline?

• Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific circumstances. —Institute of Medicine (1990)

What is the difference between a "clinical guideline," "practice parameter," and "standard"?

• The phrases "protocol," "practice parameter," "pathway," "standard," "consensus statement," etc., are used in many different contexts and may not necessarily be a clinical practice guideline.

What is the Purpose of Clinical Practice Guidelines?

• To describe appropriate care based on the best available scientific evidence and broad consensus;

• To reduce inappropriate variation in practice;

• To provide a more rational basis for referral;

• To provide a focus for continuing education;

• To promote efficient use of resources;

• To act as focus for quality control, including audit;

• To highlight shortcomings of existing literature and suggest appropriate future research.

If there are any questions or comments about the Clinical Practice Guidelines section, please contact the Academy at (847) 737-6000.​​

More information: 

• Access AAPM&R Endorsed Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Access the AAPM&R Guideline Endorsement Policy
• Access the AAPM&R Guideline Resources