BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe challenges when extracting and presenting relevant, consistent, and accessible information from systematic reviews. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically selected comparisons and outcomes from 18 Cochrane reviews, evaluated the quality of evidence for each outcome using the GRADE system, and developed standardized patient information. We evaluated the information using patient, review author, researcher, and clinician feedback. RESULTS: Challenges included large numbers of comparisons and outcomes; missing information about treatments and adverse effects; and variations in how effect was measured and presented. By selecting comparisons and outcomes based on patient-relevance, quality, and nonredundancy, we halved the number of outcomes. We prepared information about treatments and adverse effects using other sources. We framed outcomes consistently and standardized the presentation of magnitude of effect. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of summary of findings tables in reviews could address these challenges. Problems could also be reduced if review groups agreed upon standard outcomes; excluded less relevant outcomes; incorporated more information about interventions and adverse effects; and implemented clearer guidelines for the presentation of results.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe challenges when extracting and presenting relevant, consistent, and accessible information from systematic reviews. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically selected comparisons and outcomes from 18 Cochrane reviews, evaluated the quality of evidence for each outcome using the GRADE system, and developed standardized patient information. We evaluated the information using patient, review author, researcher, and clinician feedback. RESULTS: Challenges included large numbers of comparisons and outcomes; missing information about treatments and adverse effects; and variations in how effect was measured and presented. By selecting comparisons and outcomes based on patient-relevance, quality, and nonredundancy, we halved the number of outcomes. We prepared information about treatments and adverse effects using other sources. We framed outcomes consistently and standardized the presentation of magnitude of effect. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of summary of findings tables in reviews could address these challenges. Problems could also be reduced if review groups agreed upon standard outcomes; excluded less relevant outcomes; incorporated more information about interventions and adverse effects; and implemented clearer guidelines for the presentation of results.
Authors: Sasha Shepperd; Simon Lewin; Sharon Straus; Mike Clarke; Martin P Eccles; Ray Fitzpatrick; Geoff Wong; Aziz Sheikh Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2009-08-11 Impact factor: 11.069
Authors: Joel J Gagnier; David Moher; Heather Boon; Joseph Beyene; Claire Bombardier Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2012-07-30 Impact factor: 4.615
Authors: Shaun Treweek; Andrew D Oxman; Philip Alderson; Patrick M Bossuyt; Linn Brandt; Jan Brożek; Marina Davoli; Signe Flottorp; Robin Harbour; Suzanne Hill; Alessandro Liberati; Helena Liira; Holger J Schünemann; Sarah Rosenbaum; Judith Thornton; Per Olav Vandvik; Pablo Alonso-Coello Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2013-01-09 Impact factor: 7.327