In December 2013, ICSI guideline enhancement team introduced a process for endorsement of clinical practice guidelines developed by external organizations. Clinical practice guidelines that are relevant to primary care practice may be reviewed by ICSI and categorized as:

1. ENDORSED – ICSI fully endorses the guideline,
   
   
2. ENDORSED WITH QUALIFICATIONS and/or Supplementation – ICSI endorses the guideline or portions of the guideline with qualifications. The qualifications are described (e.g., target populations not sufficiently specified, an evidence report with minor methodological flaw, new evidenced released since the publication of the guideline under consideration for endorsement), and/or supplementation of items specific to ICSI revision community practice (e.g., algorithm, aims and measure).
   
   
3. NOT ENDORSED – ICSI does not endorse the guideline and the reasons are stated.

All clinical practice guidelines considered for endorsement by ICSI go through a structured Endorsement Process by internal ICSI staff, guideline work group members, and when applicable, the Patient Advisory Committee (PAC).

These guidelines are provided only as assistance for physicians making clinical decisions regarding the care of their patients. As such, they cannot substitute for the individual judgment brought to each clinical situation by the patient’s family physician.

As with all clinical reference resources, they reflect the best understanding of the science of medicine at the time of publication, but they should be used with the clear understanding that continued research may result in new knowledge and recommendations.

These guidelines are only one element in the complex process of transforming the health care of our community, and to be effective, the guidelines must be implemented.

Updated 03/02/16