EyeCode Media AWP: Evidence-Based Optometry: Behind the Scenes of AOA’s Clinical Practice Guidelines
Apr 2, 2025
Carl Urbanski and Andy Morgenstern, both second-generation optometrists, dive deep into AOA's Evidence-Based Optometry Committee. They unravel the importance of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and their evidence-first 14-step development process. Listeners learn how CPGs enhance patient care and why prevalence data should reshape scheduling approaches. They emphasize that CPGs are grounded solely in evidence, free from industry influence. The conversation also highlights the benefits for students and patients in engaging with these guidelines, enhancing clarity and quality in optometry.
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AOA Guidelines' Rigorous Process
- AOA Clinical Practice Guidelines follow a rigorous 14-step evidence-based process to ensure transparency and reliability.
- The guidelines include experts and patient advocates to avoid bias and focus purely on scientific evidence.
Graded Clinical Recommendations Explained
- Clinical recommendations in the guidelines are graded by evidence strength from A to D.
- This grading offers clarity on certainty and guides confident clinical decisions.
Evidence Quality Drives Recommendations
- Strong clinical recommendations derive from high-quality randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews.
- Lower-grade evidence like case reports are still considered but labeled accordingly for clinician awareness.