Credibility
The evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) developed by Detterbeck, Mazzone, Naidich, and Bach (2013) target early detection of lung cancer in patients based on screening tools and techniques suggested by the recent literature. The mentioned guidelines were developed by scholars from the American College of Chest Physicians, while the same organization acted as the sponsor of the project.
At the same time, the key stakeholders of these guidelines are representative of the given organization. A valid development strategy, the systematic review method, was used in the course of preparing lung cancer screening guidelines. The process of planning, review and analysis was thoroughly developed and implemented by the authors of the article. More to the point, the processes were explicit, sensible, and transparent to ensure study credibility. However, it is not stated whether any comprehensive literature review was conducted within one year after the publication of this study or not.
Having read these clinical practice guidelines, one may assume that all significant options and outcomes were taken into account. The authors pay attention to various data presented by the recent literature and integrate knowledge in an attempt to provide the most appropriate guidelines. For example, it is noted that for patients aged from 55 to 74, who smoke or quit smoking recently, it is highly recommended to have annual screening with low-dose CT (LDCT), while persons younger the given age should not be subjected to this procedure.
Even though Detterbeck et al. (2013) thoroughly examine every option, they fail to outline the level of evidence used for designing recommendations. Nevertheless, the paramount importance of the mentioned guidelines is that they explicitly pinpoint recommendations that may be used by practitioners in their care. The fact that the article is peer-reviewed proves its scholarly nature and shows that it promotes evidence-based decision-making in the field of early detection of lung cancer.
Applicability
The evidence-based clinical practice guidelines under discussion do not evidently represent the intent of the authors. While the review of the recommendations, articles used to create these guidelines, and endorsement organizations demonstrate that the authors target the international clinical community.
Speaking of the clinical relevance of the proposed recommendations, it should be emphasized that they are rather significant in terms of the growing lung cancer mortality worldwide. There is an urgent need to combat lung cancer, and the use of adequate screening tools is one of the solutions to this health concern. In my point of view, these guidelines will be helpful in diagnosing at-risk patients and providing them with the most relevant health care services.
The implementation of the mentioned CPGs is feasible as it requires a reasonable number of personnel, equipment, and awareness. Currently, oncology has already adopted some of the recommendations given by Detterbeck et al. (2013), yet the distinction between age, smoking status, occupation, and other factors is the contribution made by these authors to the existing theory.
It is unknown whether the outcomes of the application of these guidelines may be measured through standard care since the article presents no related information. It seems that further research is needed to understand the above point. In general, the discussed CPGs should be explored in future studies to reveal any limitations and weaknesses and elaborate on them, thus improving the current guidelines used by practitioners in diagnosing lung cancer and increasing patients’ life expectancy and quality.
Reference
Detterbeck, F. C., Mazzone, P. J., Naidich, D. P., & Bach, P. B. (2013). Screening for lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest, 143(5), 78-92.