Table 1.

Meanings of the Strength of the Recommendations

A Strong Recommendation Conveys . . .	A Conditional Recommendation Conveys . . .
It is the right course of action for >95% of patients.	It is the right course of action for >50% of patients but may not be right for a sizable minority.
“Just do it. Don’t waste your time thinking about it, just do it.”	“Slow down, think about it, discuss it with the patient.”
You would be willing to tell a colleague that he or she did the wrong thing if he or she did not follow the recommendation.	You would NOT be willing to tell a colleague that he or she did the wrong thing if he or she did not follow the recommendation because there is clinical equipoise.
The recommended course of action may make a good performance metric.	The recommended course of action would NOT make a good performance metric.