American Psychiatric Association (APA) Practice Guidelines provide recommendations to help psychiatrists make treatment decisions that are supported by the best available evidence, including from current research and expert consensus. The guidelines are developed by expert work groups, who review available evidence using an explicit methodology. Iterative drafts undergo wide review by other experts, allied organizations, and the APA membership. Every guideline is also reviewed and approved for publication by the APA Assembly and Board of Trustees. This process balances the conclusions of scientific research with the practical experience of professionals working in the field.
In addition to providing recommendations that may improve patient care, the guidelines may be used for education by medical students and residents, psychiatrists seeking recertification, other mental health professionals, and the general public. Researchers may use the guidelines to identify important clinical questions for which more research could be expected to improve treatment decision making.
The thirteen Practice Guidelines are Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults, Second Edition Delirium Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias of Late Life HIV/AIDS Substance Use Disorders, Second Edition Schizophrenia, Second Edition Major Depressive Disorder, Second Edition Bipolar Disorder, Second Edition Panic Disorder Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Eating Disorders, Third Edition Borderline Personality Disorder Suicidal Behaviors
These guidelines help you Understand clinical features and symptoms Make a confident differential diagnosis Evaluate interventions commonly used to treat specific disorders Select the appropriate site of service Educate the patient and family Assess the efficacy and risks of available medications Develop an individualized treatment plan
Interactive continuing medical education programs for many of the individual practice guidelines are available on the APA's web site (www.psych.org/cme). Each program offers AMA PRA Category 1 Credits that are accepted by the APA and the American Medical Association.
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) has reviewed the APA Practice Guidelines CME Program and has approved it as part of a comprehensive lifelong learning program, which is mandated by the American Board of Medical Specialties as a necessary component of maintenance of certification.
