VOL 58: JANUARY・JANVIER 2012 | Richard Birtwhistle MD MSc CCFP FCFP, Kevin Pottie MD MCISc CCFP FCFP, Elizabeth Shaw MD CCFP FCFP, James A. Dickinson MBBS CCFP PhD, Paula Brauer PhD, Martin Fortin MD MSc CCFP FCFP, Neil Bell MD CCFP FCFP, Hariminder Singh MD MPH FRCPC, Marcello Tonelli MD SM FRCPC, Sarah Connor Gorber PhD, Gabriela Lewin MD CCFP, Michel Joffres MD PhD, Patricia Parkin MD FRCPC
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) has been reconstituted through a funding agreement between the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The CTFPHC, originally established in 1976, aims to develop and disseminate clinical practice guidelines for primary and preventive care based on systematic analysis of scientific evidence. The task force consists of 14 members, including family physicians and other medical specialists, who must disclose any conflicts of interest. The CTFPHC uses rigorous methods to assess evidence and guide preventive care, focusing on practical guidance for Canadian family physicians. The development process includes topic prioritization, evidence reviews, and knowledge translation strategies. The task force employs the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to enhance transparency and rigor in framing and developing recommendations. The CTFPHC's guidelines are intended to improve patient satisfaction and uptake of beneficial services, and they are supported by partnerships with other preventive care organizations. The first guideline published in 2011 addressed breast cancer screening, with subsequent guidelines for type 2 diabetes, cervical cancer, hypertension, and depression in the works.The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) has been reconstituted through a funding agreement between the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The CTFPHC, originally established in 1976, aims to develop and disseminate clinical practice guidelines for primary and preventive care based on systematic analysis of scientific evidence. The task force consists of 14 members, including family physicians and other medical specialists, who must disclose any conflicts of interest. The CTFPHC uses rigorous methods to assess evidence and guide preventive care, focusing on practical guidance for Canadian family physicians. The development process includes topic prioritization, evidence reviews, and knowledge translation strategies. The task force employs the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to enhance transparency and rigor in framing and developing recommendations. The CTFPHC's guidelines are intended to improve patient satisfaction and uptake of beneficial services, and they are supported by partnerships with other preventive care organizations. The first guideline published in 2011 addressed breast cancer screening, with subsequent guidelines for type 2 diabetes, cervical cancer, hypertension, and depression in the works.