CAP Guidelines
CAP guidelines provide the latest practice information on pathology- and laboratory-related topics.
Guidelines
Improve diagnostic and treatment decision making.
Current Guidelines
Make more informed decisions about diagnosis and optimal treatment
Upcoming Guidelines
Guidelines in various stages of the Guideline Development Process
About CAP Guidelines
Our Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center for Evidence-based Guidelines (Center), along with our professional partners, is advancing the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine by bringing recommendations to the forefront of clinical decision making.
Adopting these guidelines helps pathologists and laboratory professionals to provide more effective testing with consistent, high-quality results, and expert interpretations.
Pathologists, laboratory professionals, and others may submit a topic for us to consider developing.
Evidence-based Guidelines (EBGs)
The Center guidelines help pathologists and other clinicians:
- Make more informed decisions about diagnosis and optimal treatment.
- Place emphasis on the pathologist’s role to the center of patient care.
Guideline Principles
The guideline principles follow the National Academy of Medicine’s Standards for Developing Trustworthy Clinical Practice Guidelines, and we develop evidence-based guidelines through a rigorous and transparent process. Our Evidence-based Guideline Development Methodology Manual provides a more detailed description.
Establishing Transparency
We produce guidelines alone or in conjunction with stakeholder partners. No industry funds are accepted.
Management of Conflict of Interest
We uphold guideline integrity by avoiding or actively managing conflict of interest, real or perceived, which could influence or be perceived as influencing guideline decisions. Panel members are often leaders within their field and may have associations with industry. We strive to balance the panel with knowledgeable subject matter members while ensuring that majority of the panel is free from conflicts of interest. Disclosure is required throughout the guideline process, shared with all panel members, and cited in the manuscript.
Group Composition
We compose multidisciplinary panels to include a methodologist, major stakeholder representation, and as appropriate, patient advocates.
Systematic Review
We ensure guideline integrity via a systematic review of the published medical literature using guideline development best practices. The panel also considers professional input not documented in literature (eg, grey literature) based on its scientific merit and expert opinion.
Rating Strength of Recommendations
Beginning in 2019, we adopted the use of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). We assess the quality, quantity, and consistency of the totality of the evidence along with other factors, such as benefits/harms, values, cost, and feedback from the open comment period.
Articulating Recommendations
Our guidelines clearly articulate recommendations such that users may take appropriate action and implementation can be measured.
External Review
- We invite review and comment of our draft recommendations during an open comment period. The panel considers all comments during finalization of the recommendations.
- We use an independent review process for guideline and guideline revision approval. The Independent Review Panel (IRP) consists of subject matter experts vetted through the conflicts of interest process and not previously involved in guideline development.
Updating
Our guidelines are reviewed every four years or earlier with the publication of substantive and high-quality medical evidence that could potentially alter the original guideline recommendations.
Evidence-based Guidelines FAQs
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How do individuals get selected for an expert panel (EP) or advisory panel (AP) position?
Guideline panel members can be identified in various ways: the Center volunteer data base, communications with CAP Councils and Committees, a review of authors who have publications in the area of interest, etc. Generally, 10-12 individuals serve on the EP and six serve on the AP; fewer or additional individuals can be appointed based on the complexity of the scope. If the guideline is being developed with a partnering organization, the EP is generally composed of an equal number of representatives from each organization. Wherever possible, the EP should consist of individuals from varied demographic backgrounds, practice settings, and subject matter expertise (basic/general knowledge to subject matter expert with several years of practice and experience). AP members are typically subject matter experts with several years of practice and experience.
What are the roles and responsibilities of an EP or AP member?
The EP and AP members are a critical part of the guideline development team. The charge of the EP is to develop the evidence-based guideline, including full participation in the systematic review process. Detailed tasks include:
- Participate in at least 50% of scheduled conference calls (approximately one monthly one-hour call, sometimes two – three per month during heavy production periods).
- Attend at least one in-person expert panel meeting (approximately two over the course of the project).
- Participate in the systematic review of the literature (including title-abstract, full-text, and data extraction) as assigned by the chair.
- Draft the guideline recommendations/consensus statements.
- Write/edit the manuscript and/or supplement as assigned by the chair.
- Critically review and edit drafts of the manuscript/supplement.
- Participate in the development of education and dissemination tools (could include speaker engagements).
- Provide input regarding the guideline communication plan.
- Maintain the guideline/consensus statement via periodic review and updating.
The charge of the AP is to assist the EP in the development of the guideline at key stages: scope development, review of the draft recommendations, and review of the guideline manuscript and supplement. Detailed tasks include:
- Participate in scheduled conference calls at the request of the chair during key question development and final draft recommendations.
- Provide feedback during the open comment period.
- Participate in the review of the evidence and drafting of recommendations.
- Review and edit the final manuscript as assigned by the co-chair.
- Participate in the development of education and dissemination tools (could include speaker engagements).
Who approves Center guideline panel membership?
The EP chair/co-chairs are approved by the CAP’s Council on Scientific Affairs Committee. The EP members are approved by the Center Guideline Committee. The AP members are approved by the EP chair/co-chairs.
How long does the Center keep application forms on file?
The Center will keep the application form on file for a maximum of 2 years.
When will I know if I am selected for a guideline panel?
You will be notified by email for additional information to complete, including disclosures and conflict of interest, if you are included in the list of considered applicants. This is likely between six – 12 months from the submission of the application form. If you need a more detailed timeline that is specific to the guideline, please email center@cap.org.
I already filled out a disclosure form for CAP this year, why do I need to complete another disclosure form with the Center?
Prior to acceptance on the expert or advisory panel, potential members are required to complete a disclosure form with the Center. The Center’s form is more stringent than the CAP Committee form. Center policy requires disclosure of all material financial interest in, or potential for benefit of significant value from, the guideline’s development or its recommendations 24 months prior through the time of publication. Any relationships that could be interpreted as constituting an actual, potential, or apparent conflict are required disclosures. Your disclosures are reviewed annually to ensure that there is no conflict during the development of the guideline. All the disclosures will be included as an appendix in the manuscript to ensure transparency.
Stay up to Date
Read the Center Guideline Insider to stay abreast of the Center’s efforts and activities.