Table 1.

Types of knowledge: This table presents the types of knowledge and their definitions; blue and gray circles for each type of knowledge indicate different subtypes; blue indicates a stronger or especially relevant knowledge subtype for the recommendation compared with gray; open circles indicate that reviewed publications pertain to the guideline’s background (first guideline column).

TYPE OF KNOWLEDGEDEFINITION
EmpiricalKnowledge of the outcome of exposure or intervention acquired from the following:

  • Embedded Image experimental studies (eg, RCTs) and systematic review or meta-analysis of such studies

  • Embedded Image observational studies (eg, case report, case-control, cross-sectional, cohort, or longitudinal studies) or systematic review and meta-analysis of such studies

EcosystemKnowledge, usually descriptive or employing population-level data, regarding illness prevalence, patient or caregiver characteristics, environmental or socioeconomic factors, or availability or use of health care resources and services. Such studies use the following:

  • Embedded Image Canadian data

  • Embedded Image non-Canadian data

ExpertKnowledge, including skills, acquired through clinical practice. It can be elicited using qualitative approaches (eg, surveys, focus groups). It includes consensus guidelines, framing statements, position papers, or topic reviews developed as follows:

  • Embedded Image through an explicit consensus process (eg, systematic review, synthesis of knowledge, consultation, or discussion)

  • Embedded Image without an explicit consensus process

ExperientialReflections on experiences of a health condition, care approach, intervention, or health care system derived from the following:

  • Embedded Image patients with IDD or caregivers

  • Embedded Image other informants

  • IDD—intellectual and developmental disabilities, RCT—randomized controlled trial.