Scientific Education – Meta-analysis

Content

Objectives and content

The Scientific Education – Meta-analysis (SE-M) course provides a practical guide for conducting a systematic review (including meta-analysis) of intervention research. The student receives an overview of the principles necessary to conduct a systematic literature search and of the statistical methods which are used to conduct a meta-analysis. After this course, the student can understand systematic review publications, and set-up and conduct a simple meta-analysis.

Work forms and weekly schedule
SE-M consists of one week of education in year 2, involving traditional lectures, work-sessions and computer labs. During the computer labs, the student practices searching in various databases and conducting statistical analysis. The work group assignment consists of establishing a therapeutic research question and conducting a simple systematic review including a meta-analysis.
The student applies the acquired knowledge in conducting a second systematic review, including meta-analysis, in a group of four students during the clinical rotations in year 3.


Place within the curriculum
Scientific Education – Meta-analysis is given in year 2 (preparatory course week) and 3 (conducting a systematic review, including meta-analysis).
 
Literature
The course is based on the following material.

• Scholten RJPM, Offringa M, Assendelft WJJ (red.).

Inleiding in Evidence-Based Medicine. Klinisch handelen gebaseerd op bewijsmateriaal. Vijfde druk. Houten: Bohn, Stafleu, Van Loghum, 2018. Print ISBN 978-90-368-1977-0 (Elektronisch ISBN: 978-90-368-1978-7).
For this course especially the following chapters are relevant: 2, 3, 4.4, 5.2, 6, and 7.
 
Please also refer to the general textbook list.
 
Assessment
The assessment is based on the presentation of the mini meta-analysis and participation during the work sessions in year 2 (sufficient/insufficient). The course is completed in year 3 during an UMC Offward session with a written report and presentation of a second meta-analysis conducted in small groups of four students during the clinical rotations resulting in a final grade (1-10).


Contact
Dr. P. Heus; e-mail: p.heus@umcutrecht.nl