Online Program

289782
Introduction to systematic reviews


Saturday, November 2, 2013 : 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Barbara Folb, MM, MLS, MPH, Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
This session provides the context for the other sessions in the workshop by explaining the history and production methods of systematic reviews and their role in evidence-based practice. Evidence-based public health practice requires the ability to identify, access, and assess high quality research, such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses. They provide evidence to support public health policy making, program planning, and clinical decision making. By the end of this session, participants will be able to discuss the differences between narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses based on knowledge of the methods used to produce them, and choose the most appropriate one for their information needs. They will be able to explain the history of public health systematic reviews as a further development of the evidence-based medicine movement and will be able to list major sources of systematic reviews for public health practitioners and researchers. Participants will be able to find the main systematic review methods manuals on the Internet and use them after class to deepen their knowledge of systematic review methods. They will also be able to describe the steps in systematic review production that are presented within the manuals. Whether participants want to create new or read existing systematic reviews they will benefit from the ability to describe the steps in systematic review production.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the differences between a narrative review, systematic review, and meta-analysis. Explain the importance of systematic reviews. Describe the steps required to complete a systematic review.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to teach this session because I have taught systematic review searching and methods to public health faculty, staff, and students;and evidence based public health to public health practitioners for more than 5 years. I regularly conduct systematic review searches for researchers at my university.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.