Table 3.
Interpretation of Strong and Conditional Recommendations Using the GRADE Framework
| Implications | Strong recommendationa | Conditional recommendationb |
|---|---|---|
| For patients | Most individuals in this situation would want the recommended course of action and only a small proportion would not. | The majority of individuals in this situation would want the suggested course of action, but many would not. |
| For clinicians | Most individuals should receive the intervention. Formal decision aids are not likely to be needed to help individuals make decisions consistent with their values and preferences. | Different choices will be appropriate for individual patients consistent with his or her values and preferences. Use shared decision-making. Decision aids may be useful in helping patients make decisions consistent with their individual risks, values, and preferences. |
| For policy-makers | The recommendation can be adapted as policy or performance measure in most situations. | Policy-making will require substantial debate and involvement of various stakeholders. Performance measures should assess whether decision-making is appropriate. |
a
Strong recommendations are indicated by statements that lead with “we recommend.”
b
Conditional recommendations are indicated by statements that lead with “we suggest.”