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Guidelines
Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations from the American College of Physicians
ACP's goal is to provide clinicians with recommendations based on the best available evidence; to inform clinicians of when there is no evidence; and finally, to help clinicians deliver the best health care possible.
ACP develops several different types of clinical recommendations: Clinical Practice Guidelines, Clinical Guidance Statements, Best Practice Advice, and High Value Care Advice.
ACP Guidelines strive to meet the standards for development as set by the National Academies of Medicine and the Guidelines International Network. ACP voluntarily completes standards reporting forms to increase the transparency and trustworthiness of its guidelines.
Succinct summaries of recommendations from US and international organizations regarding controversial topics in screening, prevention, and management.
Additional Information
Anemia in Patients with Heart Disease
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Treatment of Anemia in Patients With Heart Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2013)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Treatment of Anemia in Patients With Heart Disease: A Systematic Review (2013)
Full text
Patient Materials
Treatment of Anemia in Patients With Heart Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2013)
Summary for Patients
Appropriate Antibiotic Use
High Value Care Advice
Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Infection in Adults: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016)
Full text
Patient Materials
Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Infection in Adults: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016)
Summary for Patients
Cardiac Screening
High Value Care Advice
Cardiac Screening With Electrocardiography, Stress Echocardiography, or Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full text
Patient Materials
Cardiac Screening With Electrocardiography, Stress Echocardiography, or Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Summary for Patients
Cervical Cancer Screening
Best Practice Advice
Cervical Cancer Screening in Average Risk Women: Best Practice Advice from the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full text
Patient Materials
Cervical Cancer Screening in Average Risk Women: Best Practice Advice from the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians (2015)
Summary for Patients
Chronic Kidney Disease
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment of Stage 1-3 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2013)
Full text
Patient Materials
Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment of Stage 1-3 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2013)
Summary for Patients
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Guidance Statements
Screening for Colorectal Cancer: A Guidance Statement from the American College of Physicians
Full Text | Video
Patient Materials
Screening for Colorectal Cancer: A Guidance Statement from the American College of Physicians
Summary for Patients | Video
Delivery of High Value Care
Best Practice Advice
High-Value, Cost-Conscious Health Care: Concepts for Clinicians to Evaluate the Benefits, Harms, and Costs of Medical Interventions (2011)
Full text (13Mb)
Patient Materials
High-Value, Cost-Conscious Health Care: Concepts for Clinicians to Evaluate the Benefits, Harms, and Costs of Medical Interventions (2011)
Summary for Patients
Depression
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Nonpharmacologic Versus Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2016)
Full text | Video
Evidence Review:
Comparative Benefits and Harms of Antidepressants, Psychological, Complementary, and Exercise Treatments for Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2016)
Full text
Patient Materials
Nonpharmacologic Versus Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2016)
Summary for Patients | Video
Diabetes
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Oral Pharmacologic Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2017)
Full text
Patient Materials
Oral Pharmacologic Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2017)
Summary for Patients
End of Life Care
High Value Care Advice
Communication About Serious Illness Care Goals: A Review and Synthesis of Best Practices (2014)
Abstract
Patient Materials
Evaluation of Pulmonary Embolism
Best Practice Advice
Evaluation of Patients With Suspected Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Best Practice Advice From the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full Text
Generic Medications
Best Practice Advice
Improving Adherence to Therapy and Clinical Outcomes While Containing Costs: Opportunities From the Greater Use of Generic Medications: Best Practice Advice From the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full Text
Patient Materials
GERD
Best Practice Advice
Upper Endoscopy for Gastroesophageal Reflux: Best Practice Advice from the American College of Physicians (2012)
Full text | Video
Patient Materials
Upper Endoscopy for Gastroesophageal Reflux: Best Practice Advice from the American College of Physicians (2012)
Summary for Patients | Video
Gout
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Diagnosis of Acute Gout: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2016)
Full text
Management of Acute and Recurrent Gout: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2016)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Diagnosis of Gout: A Systematic Review in Support of an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline (2016)
Full text
Management of Gout: A Systematic Review in Support of an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline (2016)
Full text
Patient Materials
Diagnosis and Management of Acute Gout: Clinical Practice Guidelines From the American College of Physicians (2016)
Summary for Patients
Hematuria
High Value Care Advice
Hematuria as a Marker of Occult Urinary Tract Cancer: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians (2016)
Full text
Patient Materials
Hematuria as a Marker of Occult Urinary Tract Cancer: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians (2016)
Summary for Patients
Hypertension
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older to Higher Versus Lower Blood Pressure Targets: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians (2017)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Benefits and Harms of Intensive Blood Pressure Treatment in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2017)
Full text
Patient Materials
Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older to Higher Versus Lower Blood Pressure Targets: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians (2017)
Summary for Patients
Inpatient Glycemic Control
Best Practice Advice
Inpatient Glycemic Control: Best Practice Advice From the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians (2013)
Full text | News Release
Patient Materials
Insomnia
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Management of Chronic Insomnia Disorder in Adults: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2016)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Pharmacologic Treatment of Insomnia Disorder: An Evidence Report for a Clinical Practice Guideline by the American College of Physicians (2016)
Full text
Patient Materials
Management of Chronic Insomnia Disorder in Adults: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2016)
Summary for Patients
Low Back Pain
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2017)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Systemic Pharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline (2017)
Full text
Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline (2017)
Full text
Patient Materials
Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2017)
Summary for Patients
Nephrolithiasis
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Dietary and Pharmacologic Management to Prevent Recurrent Nephrolithiasis in Adults (2014)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Medical Management to Prevent Recurrent Nephrolithiasis in Adults (2013)
Full text
Patient Materials
Dietary and Pharmacologic Management to Prevent Recurrent Nephrolithiasis in Adults (2014)
Summary for Patients
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults (2013)
Full text | Video
Guideline:
Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults (2014)
Full text | Video
Patient Materials
Osteoporosis
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Treatment of Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures in Men and Women: A Clinical Practice Guideline Update from the American College of Physicians (2017)
Full text | Video
Evidence Review:
Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Treatments to Prevent Fractures: An Updated Systematic Review (2014)
Full text
Patient Materials
Treatment of Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures in Men and Women: A Clinical Practice Guideline Update from the American College of Physicians (2017)
Summary for Patients
Pressure Ulcers
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Risk Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full text
Guideline:
Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Pressure Ulcer Treatment Strategies: A Systematic Comparative Effectiveness Review (2013)
Full text
Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment and Prevention: A Systematic Comparative Effectiveness Review (2013)
Full text
Patient Materials
Risk Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Summary for Patients
Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Summary for Patients
Screening for Cancer
High Value Care Advice
Screening for Cancer: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full text
A Value Framework for Cancer Screening: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Full text
Patient Materials
Screening for Cancer: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians (2015)
Summary for Patients
Screening Pelvic Examination
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Screening Pelvic Examination in Adult Women (2014)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Screening Pelvic Examinations in Asymptomatic, Average-Risk Adult Women
Full text
Patient Materials
Screening Pelvic Examination in Adult Women (2014)
Summary for Patients
Screening for Prostate Cancer
Guidance Statements
Guidance Statement: Screening for Prostate Cancer: A Guidance Statement from the American College of Physicians
Full text | Video
Patient Materials
Guidance Statement: Screening for Prostate Cancer: A Guidance Statement from the American College of Physicians
Summary for Patients | Video
Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Diagnosis of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Executive Summary of a Clinical Practice Guideline for Primary Care From the American College of Physicians/American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association/American Association for Thoracic Surgery/Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association/Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2012)
Full text | Video
Guideline:
Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Executive Summary of a Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians/American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association/American Association for Thoracic Surgery/Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association/Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2012)
Full text | Video
Patient Materials
Diagnosis of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Executive Summary of a Clinical Practice Guideline for Primary Care From the American College of Physicians/American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association/American Association for Thoracic Surgery/Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association/Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2012)
Summary for Patients | Video
Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Executive Summary of a Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians/American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association/American Association for Thoracic Surgery/Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association/Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2012)
Summary for Patients | Video
Urinary Incontinence
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Nonsurgical Management of Urinary Incontinence in Women (2014)
Full text
Evidence Review:
Benefits and Harms of Pharmacologic Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Women (2012)
Full text
Patient Materials
Nonsurgical Management of Urinary Incontinence in Women (2014)
Summary for Patients
For more screening and preventive care guidelines, the ACP recommends visiting the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care websites. For HIV Screening and related guidelines, the ACP recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Requests for bulk reprints (minimum, 100 copies) of all guidelines published in Annals of Internal Medicine may be made to Helen Canavan, via phone at 215-351-2842 or via email at hcanavan@acponline.org.