gms | German Medical Science

Description: The first step for developing a systematic review starts with a protocol. Cochrane has the highest quality standards for the conduct of systematic reviews. Moreover, from 2024, all new protocols and reviews will follow a new review format aimed at simplifying the reporting of the critical aspects of the reviews. Finally, Cochrane has incorporated a new feature called “study-centric data” in RevMan Web. Using this feature, study data is linked to each PICO question and automatically recalled in multiple analyses, streamlining the review process.

At the end of this workshop, the participants will be able to identify the key necessary topic-specific and methodological definitions following Cochrane’s standards (the Handbook and the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews or MECIR).

Planned methods: The workshop will start with an introduction to the topic and resources, and then, participants will work in groups on case studies that will allow the discussion of:

• The review question: PICO of the review and PICO for synthesis.
• Eligibility criteria: populations and study design.
• Comparisons and critical/important outcomes.
• ABC of standard methods: Search, Selection, Data Extraction and Risk of Bias.
• Data Synthesis: exploring heterogeneity.
• Considerations about equity and consumer involvement.

Competing interests: BB is the Coordinating Editor, and JVAF is the Managing Editor of the Cochrane Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group. JVAF is also an editor for the Urology Group, clinical editor for the BMJ and Editor-in-Chief of BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.