Clinical Guidelines & Recommendations
ACP's goal is to provide clinicians with recommendations based on the best available evidence; to inform clinicians of when there is no evidence; and finally, to help clinicians deliver the best health care possible.
ACP develops several different types of clinical recommendations:
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Additional Information: Development Process | Inactive Statements |Future Topics
Acute Pain from Musculoskeletal Injuries
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Non-Pharmacological and Pharmacological Management of Acute Pain from Non-Low Back, Musculoskeletal Injuries in Adults: A Clinical Guideline from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ and American Academy of Family Physicians (2020)
Evidence Review:
Management of Acute Pain From Non–Low Back Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials (2020)
Predictors of Prolonged Opioid Use After Initial Prescription for Acute Musculoskeletal Injuries in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies (2020)
Appropriate Antibiotic Use
Best Practice Advice
Appropriate Use of Short Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2021)
Patient Materials
Appropriate Use of Short Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2021)
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Guidance Statements
Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Asymptomatic Average-Risk Adults: A Guidance Statement from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2023)
Patient Materials
Colorectal Cancer Screening in Asymptomatic Average-Risk Adults (2023)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Practice Points
(Update Alert 1, published online July 2024) Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed COVID-19: Living, Rapid Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 2)
(Version 2, published online September 2023) Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed COVID-19: Living, Rapid Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Version 1, published online November 2022) Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed Mild or Moderate COVID-19: Living and Rapid Practice Points from the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Practice Points
(Version 2, published online January 2022) What is the Antibody Response and Role in Conferring Natural Immunity Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection? Rapid, Living Practice Points from the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Version 1, published online March 2021) What is the Antibody Response and Role in Conferring Natural Immunity Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection? Rapid, Living Practice Points from the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Practice Points
(Update Alert 3, published online February 2022) Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the American College of Physician (Version 2)
(Update Alert 2, published online October 2021) Update Alert: Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 2)
(Update Alert 1, published online July 2021) Update Alert: Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 2)
(Version 2, published online February 2021) Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Version 1, published online October 2020) Should Remdesivir Be Used for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19? Rapid, Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Practice Points
(Update Alert 2, published online July 2020) Update Alert: Should Clinicians Use Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine Alone or in Combination With Azithromycin for the Prophylaxis or Treatment of COVID-19? Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Update Alert 1, published online June 2020) Update Alert: Should Clinicians Use Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine Alone or in Combination With Azithromycin for the Prophylaxis or Treatment of COVID-19? Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Version 1, published online May 2020) Should Clinicians Use Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine Alone or In Combination with Azithromycin for the Prophylaxis or Treatment of COVID-19? Living Practice Points from the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Practice Points
(Update Alert 1, published online October 2020) Use of N95, Surgical, and Cloth Masks to Prevent COVID-19 in Health Care and Community Settings: Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Version 1, published online June 2020) Use of N95, Surgical, and Cloth Masks to Prevent COVID-19 in Health Care and Community Settings: Living Practice Points From the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Depression
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
(Update Alert 2, Surveillance Note 1, published online February 2025) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 1)
(Update Alert 2, published online July 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 1)
(Update Alert 1, published online March 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 1)
Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2023)
Evidence Review:
(Surveillance Note 1, published online February 2025) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for a Clinical Guideline by the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Update Alert 2, published online July 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis for a Clinical Guideline by the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Update Alert 1, published online March 2024) Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for a Clinical Guideline by the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adult Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for a Clinical Guideline by the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2023)
Values and Preferences of Patients With Depressive Disorders Regarding Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments: A Rapid Review (2023)
Cost-Effectiveness of First- and Second-Step Treatment Strategies for Major Depressive Disorder: A Rapid Review (2023)
Patient Materials
Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depression (2023)
Diabetes
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Newer Pharmacological Treatments in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinical Guideline from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2024)
Evidence Review:
Newer Pharmacologic Treatments in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Cost-Effectiveness of Newer Pharmacologic Treatments in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Studies for the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Visual Clinical Guideline
Newer Pharmacologic Treatments in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Visual Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2024)
Diverticulitis
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Diagnosis and Management of Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2022)
Colonoscopy for Diagnostic Evaluation and Interventions to Prevent Recurrence After Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2022)
Evidence Review:
Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Management of Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Systematic Review (2022)
Evaluation and Management After Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Systematic Review (2022)
Hepatitis C
High Flow Nasal Oxygen for Acute Respiratory Failure
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Appropriate Use of High Flow Nasal Oxygen in Hospitalized Patients for Initial or Post-Extubation Management of Acute Respiratory Failure: A Clinical Guideline from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2021)
Evidence Review:
Effectiveness and Harms of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen for Acute Respiratory Failure: An Evidence Report for a Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2021)
Migraine
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Pharmacologic Treatments of Acute Episodic Migraine Headache in Outpatient Settings: A Clinical Guideline from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2025)
Prevention of Episodic Migraine Headache Using Pharmacologic Treatments in Outpatient Settings: A Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2025)
Evidence Review:
Pharmacologic Treatment Of Acute Attacks Of Episodic Migraine: A Systematic Review And Network Meta-Analysis For The American College Of Physicians (2025)
Patients' Values And Preferences Regarding The Pharmacologic Treatment Of Acute Episodic Migraine: A Rapid Review For The American College Of Physicians (2025)
Patients' Values and Preferences Regarding Pharmacologic Treatments for Prevention of Episodic Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review for the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2025)
Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Treatments for the Prevention of Episodic Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2025)
Visual Clinical Guideline
Pharmacologic Treatments of Acute Episodic Migraine Headache in Outpatient Settings: A Clinical Guideline from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2025)
Prevention of Episodic Migraine Headache Using Pharmacologic Treatments in Outpatient Settings: A Visual Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2025)
Osteoporosis
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
(Update Alert 1, Surveillance Note 1, published online February 2025) Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults: A Living Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 1)
(Update Alert 1, published online May 2024) Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults: A Living Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (Version 1)
Pharmacologic Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass to Prevent Fractures in Adults: A Living Clinical Guideline From the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2023)
Evidence Review:
(Surveillance Note, published online February 2025) Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments to Prevent Fractures in People With Low Bone Mass or Primary Osteoporosis: A Living Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the ذكذكتسٍ¤
(Update Alert 1, published online May 2024) Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments to Prevent Fractures in People With Low Bone Mass or Primary Osteoporosis: A Living Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the ذكذكتسٍ¤
Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments to Prevent Fractures in People With Low Bone Mass or Primary Osteoporosis: A Living Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis for the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2023)
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Acute Dyspnea
Current Guidelines
Guideline:
Appropriate Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Patients with Acute Dyspnea in Emergency Department or In-patient Settings: A Clinical Guideline from the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2021)
Evidence Review:
Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in Patients With Acute Dyspnea: An Evidence Report for a Clinical Practice Guideline by the ذكذكتسٍ¤ (2021)
For more screening and preventive care guidelines, the ACP recommends visiting the (USPSTF) and the websites. For HIV Screening and related guidelines, the ACP recommends the (CDC).
Requests for bulk reprints (minimum, 100 copies) of all guidelines published in Annals of Internal Medicine may be made to Aileen McHugh, via phone at 215-351-2642 or via email at reprints@acponline.org.