When, why and how to conduct a Cochrane overview of reviews

Workshop category: 

  • Overviews of reviews and network meta-analysis
Date and Location

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 11:00 to 12:30

Location: 

Lammermuir 2
Contact persons and facilitators

Contact person:

Lisa Hartling

Facilitators:

Hartling L1, Brennan S2, Pieper D3
1 University of Alberta, Canada
2 Cochrane Australia, Australia
3 Witten/Herdecke University, Germany

Acknowledgements:

Fernandes R1, Pollock M2
1 Department of Pediatrics, Santa Maria Hospital, Lisbon Academic Center, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
2 Alberta, Canada
Target audience

Target audience: 

Researchers who conduct, or are interested in conducting, overviews of reviews

Level of difficulty: 

Basic
Type of workshop

Type of workshop : 

Training
Abstract

Abstract:

Background:
Cochrane overviews of reviews (overviews) integrate information from multiple systematic reviews to provide a single synthesis of relevant evidence for decision-making (e.g. multiple interventions for a single health condition). Overviews follow steps similar to systematic reviews in terms of searching, study selection, quality assessment and data extraction, except that the unit of analysis is the systematic review rather than the primary study. We have recently updated the Cochrane Handbook's chapter on overview methods to reflect the current state of knowledge regarding the conduct and reporting of overviews.

Objectives:
This workshop will introduce participants to the Cochrane Handbook's updated guidance on methods for conducting overviews of reviews.

Description:
The workshop will cover the following topics:

1) introduction to the concept, definition and utility of overviews;
2) points to consider when choosing whether it is appropriate to conduct an overview;
3) general guidance on the steps involved in conducting overviews; and
4) some of the challenges that may be encountered when conducting an overview.

Participants will have time to ask questions about methods for conducting overviews, and we will encourage participants to share their perspectives and opinions on the updated guidance presented.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

Overviews of reviews compile information from multiple systematic reviews relevant to a single health problem. They were originally developed within Cochrane to provide a ‘friendly front end’ to the evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews; hence, overviews provide the end-user with a summary of the available evidence. The overview format may be particularly relevant to patients and consumers who may want information on a range of therapeutic options for a given health problem.