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Clinical Guidelines & Recommendations

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.

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ACP develops several different types of clinical recommendations:

  • Clinical Guidelines
  • Clinical Guidance Statements
  • Best Practice Advice
  • Practice Points

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Additional Information: Development Process | Inactive Statements |Future Topics

Acute Pain from Musculoskeletal Injuries

Current Guidelines

Guideline:

Non-Pharmacological and Pharmacological Management of Acute Pain from Non-Low Back, Musculoskeletal Injuries in Adults: A Clinical Guideline from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians (2020)
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Evidence Review:

Management of Acute Pain From Non–Low Back Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials (2020)
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Predictors of Prolonged Opioid Use After Initial Prescription for Acute Musculoskeletal Injuries in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies (2020)
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Appropriate Antibiotic Use

Best Practice Advice

Appropriate Use of Short Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice from the American College of Physicians (2021)
Full text

Patient Materials

Appropriate Use of Short Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice from the American College of Physicians (2021)
Summary for Patients

Breast Cancer Screening

Guidance Statements

Screening for Breast Cancer in Average-Risk Women: A Guidance Statement From the American College of Physicians (2019)
Full text

Patient Materials

Breast Cancer Screening in Average-Risk Women (2019)
Summary for Patients

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Guidance Statements

Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Asymptomatic Average-Risk Adults: A Guidance Statement from the American College of Physicians (2023)
Full text

Patient Materials

Colorectal Cancer Screening in Asymptomatic Average-Risk Adults (2023)
Summary for Patients

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Practice Points

(Update Alert 1, published online July 2024) Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed COVID-19: Living, Rapid Practice Points From the American College of Physicians (Version 2)
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(Version 2, published online September 2023) Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed COVID-19: Living, Rapid Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
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(Version 1, published online November 2022) Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed Mild or Moderate COVID-19: Living and Rapid Practice Points from the American College of Physicians
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Practice Points

(Version 2, published online January 2022) What is the Antibody Response and Role in Conferring Natural Immunity Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection? Rapid, Living Practice Points from the American College of Physicians
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(Version 1, published online March 2021) What is the Antibody Response and Role in Conferring Natural Immunity Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection? Rapid, Living Practice Points from the American College of Physicians
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Practice Points

(Update Alert 3, published online February 2022) Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the American College of Physician (Version 2)
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(Update Alert 2, published online October 2021) Update Alert: Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians (Version 2)
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(Update Alert 1, published online July 2021) Update Alert: Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians (Version 2)
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(Version 2, published online February 2021) Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
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(Version 1, published online October 2020) Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
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Practice Points

(Update Alert 2, published online July 2020) Update Alert: Should Clinicians Use Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine Alone or in Combination With Azithromycin for the Prophylaxis or Treatment of COVID-19? Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
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(Update Alert 1, published online June 2020) Update Alert: Should Clinicians Use Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine Alone or in Combination With Azithromycin for the Prophylaxis or Treatment of COVID-19? Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
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(Version 1, published online May 2020) Should Clinicians Use Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine Alone or In Combination with Azithromycin for the Prophylaxis or Treatment of COVID-19? Living Practice Points from the American College of Physicians
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Practice Points

(Update Alert 1, published online October 2020) Use of N95, Surgical, and Cloth Masks to Prevent COVID-19 in Health Care and Community Settings: Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
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(Version 1, published online June 2020) Use of N95, Surgical, and Cloth Masks to Prevent COVID-19 in Health Care and Community Settings: Living Practice Points From the American College of Physicians
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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:

(Update Alert 2, published online July 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (Version 1)
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(Update Alert 1, published online March 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (Version 1)
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Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2023)
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Evidence Review:

(Update Alert 2, published online July 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis for a Clinical Guideline by the American College of Physicians
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(Update Alert 1, published online March 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for a Clinical Guideline by the American College of Physicians
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Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for a Clinical Guideline by the American College of Physicians (2023)
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Values and Preferences of Patients With Depressive Disorders Regarding Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments: A Rapid Review (2023)
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Cost-Effectiveness of First- and Second-Step Treatment Strategies for Major Depressive Disorder: A Rapid Review (2023)
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Patient Materials

Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depression (2023)
Summary for Patients

Diabetes

Current Guidelines

Guideline:

Newer Pharmacological Treatments in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinical Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2024)
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Evidence Review:

Newer Pharmacologic Treatments in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the American College of Physicians
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Cost-Effectiveness of Newer Pharmacologic Treatments in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Studies for the American College of Physicians
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Visual Clinical Guideline

Newer Pharmacologic Treatments in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Visual Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2024)
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Diverticulitis

Current Guidelines

Guideline:

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2022)
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Colonoscopy for Diagnostic Evaluation and Interventions to Prevent Recurrence After Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2022)
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Evidence Review:

Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Management of Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Systematic Review (2022)
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Evaluation and Management After Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Systematic Review (2022)
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Hepatitis C

Best Practice Advice

World Health Organization Guidelines on Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians (2020)
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High Flow Nasal Oxygen for Acute Respiratory Failure

Current Guidelines

Guideline:

Appropriate Use of High Flow Nasal Oxygen in Hospitalized Patients for Initial or Post-Extubation Management of Acute Respiratory Failure: A Clinical Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2021)
Full text

Evidence Review:

Effectiveness and Harms of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen for Acute Respiratory Failure: An Evidence Report for a Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2021)
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Osteoporosis

Current Guidelines

Guideline:

(Update Alert 1, published online May 2024) Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults: A Living Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (Version 1)
Full text

Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults: A Living Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians (2023)
Full text

Evidence Review:

(Update Alert 1, published online May 2024) Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments to Prevent Fractures in People With Low Bone Mass or Primary Osteoporosis: A Living Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the American College of Physicians
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Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments to Prevent Fractures in People With Low Bone Mass or Primary Osteoporosis: A Living Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the American College of Physicians (2023)
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Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Acute Dyspnea

Current Guidelines

Guideline:

Appropriate Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Patients with Acute Dyspnea in Emergency Department or In-patient Settings: A Clinical Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2021)
Full text

Evidence Review:

Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in Patients With Acute Dyspnea: An Evidence Report for a Clinical Practice Guideline by the American College of Physicians (2021)
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Testosterone Treatment

Current Guidelines

Guideline:

Testosterone Treatment in Adult Men with Age-Related Low Testosterone: A Clinical Guideline from the American College of Physicians (2020)
Full text

Evidence Review:

Efficacy and Safety of Testosterone Treatment in Men: An Evidence Report for a Clinical Practice Guideline by the American College of Physicians (2020)
Full text

Patient Materials

Testosterone Treatment in Adult Men with Age-Related Low Testosterone (2020)
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 Aileen McHugh, via phone at 215-351-2642 or via email at reprints@acponline.org.