Systematic Reviews in Intervention Research

Course goals

ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST UNTIL TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE START OF THE COURSE

GRADUATE STUDENTS:
Please be aware that you can only select a course option that shows the academic year and is offered Face-to-Face (F2F)

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS:
Please be aware that you can only select a course option that shows the academic year and is offered Face-to-Face (F2F)  or online (depending on your registration)

(FYI: the other options are options for Continuing Education (onderwijs voor professionals))



Aims of the course:

• Explain the rational and need for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised trials
• Understand and list the important design features of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• Conduct, present and report systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• Formulate a proper review question
• Design a comprehensive and efficient search strategy to retrieve studies in electronic bibliographic databases that report original study data
• Perform the search accordingly and organize the results using bibliographic management software
• Assess studies for their directness of evidence (for patients, treatments, outcomes) and organise and filter them accordingly
• Assess studies for their risk of (selection and information) bias and organise and filter them accordingly
• Extract original study data (i.e. sample size; distribution parameters of baseline risk and outcome risk) and prepare these for pooled data-analyses
• Analyse pooled data accurately, using computer software and different approaches and methods (i.e. selection of statistical models, evaluate heterogeneity and publication bias)
• Summarise findings using both graphs and tables
• Put findings in context, draw conclusions and present these conclusions
• Critically assess and evaluate systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Content

Contact details: Educational Office Epidemiology
E-mail: msc-epidemiology@umcutrecht.nl

Registration:
Face-to-Face: You can register for this course via Osiris Student. More information about the registration procedure can be found here on the Students' site. NOTE Students of the MSc Epidemiology (Post Graduate) that register in time (i.e. at least two weeks before the start of a course) will always be admitted to the course unless it is completely full. Other students will receive information about their application two weeks before the start of the course.
Online: Online courses are only available for Epidemiology Postgraduate students and can register via Osiris Student. More information about the registration procedure can be found here on the Students' site.

Course coordinator:
Dr. J.A.A.G. (Anneke) Damen, UMC Utrecht, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Course description:
Meta-Analysis is the statistical approach to synthesis of the results from a series of studies. During this course we will present and discuss the rational and use of meta-analysis. We will discuss the strengths and limitations, and provide step-by-step guidance on how to perform a meta-analysis based on examples that either has provoked discussion on their logic and methods, or that have challenged conventional beliefs in medicine and biomedical sciences.
Logic and developments on particular approaches (e.g. model selection, individual patient data meta-analyses), and controversies in meta-analysis will be discussed during interactive tutorials (e.g. dealing with heterogeneity and when to refrain from meta-analysis).
Participants will learn how to conduct a meta-analysis. They will get hands-on experience on different aspects of the design and conduct of meta-analysis, including computer practicals using Excel, Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA), STATA and MIX. By the end of the course, participants should be able to conduct a meta-analysis.
Participants gain access to the online materials the week before the course. Participants are encouraged to bring their laptop.

Literature/study material used:
-
  
Mandatory for students in own Master’s programme:
MIght be for a specialization programme of Epidemiology & Epidemiology Postgraduate
 
Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
Yes
 
Prerequisite knowledge:
Introduction to Epidemiology
Introduction to Statistics
Clinical Epidemiology (preferred)