Table 4.

Explanation of the terminology used in BTS recommendations

Strength	Benefits and risks	Implications
Strong. It is recommended and so ‘offer’	Benefits appear to outweigh the risks (or vice versa) for the majority of the target group	Most service users would want to or should receive this intervention
Conditional. It is suggested and so ‘consider’	Risks and benefits are more closely balanced, or there is more uncertainty in likely service users values and preferences	The service users should be supported to arrive at a decision based on their values and preferences

BTS, British Thoracic Society.