scholarly journals Environmental scan and evaluation of best practices for online systematic review resources

2018 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M. N. Parker ◽  
Leah Boulos ◽  
Sarah Visintini ◽  
Krista Ritchie ◽  
Jill Hayden

Objective: Online training for systematic review methodology is an attractive option due to flexibility and limited availability of in-person instruction. Librarians often direct new reviewers to these online resources, so they should be knowledgeable about the variety of available resources. The objective for this project was to conduct an environmental scan of online systematic review training resources and evaluate those identified resources.Methods: The authors systematically searched for electronic learning resources pertaining to systematic review methods. After screening for inclusion, we collected data about characteristics of training resources and assigned scores in the domains of (1) content, (2) design, (3) interactivity, and (4) usability by applying a previously published evaluation rubric for online instruction modules. We described the characteristics and scores for each training resource and compared performance across the domains.Results: Twenty training resources were evaluated. Average overall score of online instructional resources was 61%. Online courses (n=7) averaged 73%, web modules (n=5) 64%, and videos (n=8) 48%. The top 5 highest scoring resources were in course or web module format, featured high interactivity, and required a longer (>5hrs) time commitment from users.Conclusion: This study revealed that resources include appropriate content but are less likely to adhere to principles of online training design and interactivity. Awareness of these resources will allow librarians to make informed recommendations for training based on patrons’ needs. Future online systematic review training resources should use established best practices for e-learning to provide high-quality resources, regardless of format or user time commitment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Champion

Comment on Parker RMN, Boulos L, Visintini S, Ritchie K, Hayden J. Environmental scan and evaluation of best practices for online systematic review resources. J Med Libr Assoc. 2018 Apr;106(2):208–17. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2018.241.


Author(s):  
Christine Neilson ◽  
Mê-Linh Lê

Objectives: This paper describes the development, execution, and subsequent failure of an attempt to create an Ovid Embase search filter for locating systematic review methodology articles.Methods: The authors devised a work plan, based on best practices, for search filter development that has been outlined in the literature. Three reference samples were gathered by identifying the OVID Embase records for specific articles that were included in the PubMed Systematic Review Methods subset. The first sample was analyzed to develop a set of keywords and subject headings to include in the search filter. The second and third samples would have been used to calibrate the search filter and to calculate filter sensitivity and precision, respectively.Results: Technical shortcomings, database indexing practices, and the fuzzy nature of keyword terminology relevant to the topic prevented us from designing the search filter.Conclusion: Creating a search filter to identify systematic review methodology articles in Ovid Embase is not possible at this time.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 17000-17000
Author(s):  
M. Brouwers

17000 Background: In the last decade, the Program in Evidence-based Care (PEBC), the guideline initiative of the cancer system in Ontario, Canada, has evolved dramatically. In addition to providing recommendations to facilitate decisions of clinicians (clinical practice guidelines), PEBC reports provide recommendations to facilitate decisions regarding universal drug funding, resource allocation, models of care, and the organization of the cancer system. For many of these issues, there is little in terms of traditional evidence, regardless of study design. As such, extending and building upon traditional notions of evidence and methodologies to gather new kinds of evidence have been required. Methods and Results: The PEBC has evolved the way it which conceives of evidence, the methods used to assemble and appraise evidence, and the role of evidence in decision making. To this end, environmental scan and consensus methods, in addition to standard systematic review methodology, are employed. The environmental scan methodology we use includes systematic and transparent internet searches of, and/or direct inquires to, organizations in jurisdictions determined, a priori, to be generalizable to the Ontario experience. Here, evidence comes in the form of organizational reports, case studies and evaluation data. These methods continue to be refined and tested. The consensus methodology we use is a modified Delphi technique. To date, these methods have been applied to various topics including standards for diagnostic assessment programs, surgical oncology and systemic therapy models of care, patient education, multidisciplinary case conferences, patient safety, and treatment of rare diseases. Evaluations of these reports have been generally positive (approval rating range: 56% to 75%) but noticeably more varied than approval ratings of our clinical practice guidelines that have relied primarily on traditional systematic review methodology (approval ratings rarely below 80%). Conclusions: The PEBC's notions of evidence continue to evolve as does the refinement and testing of new methodologies. Through this evolution, we are now able to provide advice on issues we would otherwise be unable to using traditional methods only, while still remaining true to our core principles of being participatory, rigorous, systematic and transparent. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2021 ◽  
pp. 103637
Author(s):  
Nur Aliah Fatin Mohd Nizam Ong ◽  
Mohd Zahirasri Mohd Tohir ◽  
Mohamad Syazarudin Md Said ◽  
Mohammad Shakir Nasif ◽  
Aidi Hizami Alias ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Van Rooyen ◽  
Ruth Stewart ◽  
Thea De Wet

Big international development donors such as the UK’s Department for International Development and USAID have recently started using systematic review as a methodology to assess the effectiveness of various development interventions to help them decide what is the ‘best’ intervention to spend money on. Such an approach to evidence-based decision-making has long been practiced in the health sector in the US, UK, and elsewhere but it is relatively new in the development field. In this article we use the case of a systematic review of the impact of microfinance on the poor in sub-Saharan African to indicate how systematic review as a methodology can be used to assess the impact of specific development interventions.


Author(s):  
Garrett S. Bullock ◽  
Tom Hughes ◽  
Jamie C. Sergeant ◽  
Michael J. Callaghan ◽  
Gary S. Collins ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e042653
Author(s):  
Isobel Marion Harris ◽  
Heather McNeilly ◽  
Hani Benamer ◽  
Derek J Ward ◽  
Alice J Sitch ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThis systematic review aimed to explore consultant attitudes towards teaching undergraduate medical students in the UK.DesignSystematic review.MethodologyStandard systematic review methodology was followed. MEDLINE, EMBASE and OpenGrey were searched from inception to August 2019 to identify studies exploring senior doctors’ attitudes towards teaching undergraduate medical students. Two reviewers independently carried out key methodological steps including study screening/selection, quality assessment and data extraction. A narrative synthesis was undertaken.ResultsFive studies were included in the review dating 2003–2015. Two studies used questionnaires, and three used focus groups/semistructured interviews. Key findings identified across all studies were consultants generally found teaching undergraduate medical students enjoyable, and consultants identified time constraints as a barrier to teaching. Other findings were consultants feeling there was a lack of recognition for time spent teaching, and a lack of training/guidance regarding teaching students.ConclusionsThis is the first systematic review to explore senior hospital doctors’ attitudes towards teaching undergraduate medical students. Despite these five studies spanning 12 years, the same attitudes and issues regarding teaching are identified by all, suggesting lack of time particularly is a persistent problem regarding consultant-based teaching. An anecdotal impression is that consultants are no longer as enthusiastic about teaching as they once were, but it is evident over the 12 years of these studies that enjoyment levels, and presumably enthusiasm, have not changed significantly.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-176
Author(s):  
Shavar Chase

AbstractBackgroundRestraint and seclusion were considered a form of treatment but consistently has led to physical and mental injuries to staff and patients. De-escalation has been viewed as a safer option. Understanding which intervention yields decreased injuries, aggression and violence will guide policy and inform practice.ObjectivesTo identify which intervention leads to decreased physical and psychological injury to patients and staff.MethodsThe frequency of physical injuries to patients and staff from aggressive patients; frequency of psychological injuries to patients and staff from violent, aggressive incidents; frequency of violence, agitation and aggression; competence of staff at managing aggression and violence were evaluated.ResultsFourteen studies were included in this review. There are many forms of de-escalation. Studies where techniques were taught to staff, the intervention was effective in decreasing injury in approximately half the studies. De-escalation techniques taught to patients decreased injury in 100% of the studies included in this review.ConclusionConsensus on which intervention works best could not be reached, nor is there overwhelming evidence for a particular type of de-escalation better suited for decreasing aggression and violence. Caution should be exercised when choosing a de-escalation technique for implementation in institutions due to lack of regulating agencies that inform practice and standards. In addition, the literature lacks best practices for de-escalation techniques backed by evidence. Restraint and seclusion should be used as a last resort due to inherent risk associated with the intervention.


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