Systematic Review
Definition: A systematic review is a comprehensive method intended to find, appraise, and synthesize all of the relevant evidence related to a particular research question.
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal
KT Program Example: Impact of H1N1 on socially disadvantaged populations: systematic review (doi: 10.1111/irv.12082)
Scoping Review
Definition: A type of systematic review that is used to map the key concepts underpinning a field of research or specific topic of interest, determine the types of evidence available, and identify gaps in existing knowledge or research.
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal
KT Program Example: Barriers and facilitators to uptake of systematic reviews by policy makers and health care managers: a scoping review (doi: 10.1186/s13012-016-0370-1)
Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Definition: Meta-analysis is a statistical technique use to pool results from multiple studies; the resulting analysis combines data from many more patients so it has more power and can produce more precise results.
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal
KT Program Example: Comparing influenza vaccine efficacy against mismatched and matched strains: a systematic review and meta-analysis (doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-153)
Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis
Definition: An extension of the statistical method of meta-analysis that allows for the comparison of multiple interventions using a combination of direct and indirect evidence
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal
KT Program Example: Safety, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of long acting versus intermediate acting insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis (doi: 10.1136/bmj.g5459)
Rapid Scoping Review
Definition: A type of rapid systematic review that is used to map the key concepts that underpin a research field or topic and determine the main sources and types of evidence available.
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal
KT PROGRAM EXAMPLE: Rapid Scoping Review of Medical Malpractice Policies/Models/Frameworks
Objective: To complete a rapid scoping review in the span of 6 weeks to map all available evidence in the literature regarding medical malpractice models, frameworks, and/or policies to control damages in obstetrical procedures across all countries.
Methods: A rapid scoping review framework consisting of 5 stages was implemented:
- identifying the research question,
- identifying relevant studies,
- selecting studies,
- charting the data, and
- synthesizing and reporting the results.
Results: Forty-three articles met the eligibility criteria; the majority of which were focused on the United States and only 10 of the included reports contained formal systematic evaluations of program and policy outcomes. Favourable outcomes have been reported for no-fault compensation of severe birth-related injuries, patient safety programs and apology laws, however further research in this area is warranted.
Rapid Review of Economic Studies
Definition: A type of rapid systematic review focused solely on synthesizing evidence from cost-effectiveness assessments in order to determine which interventions are more likely to be cost-effective.
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
KT Program Example: A systematic review of cost-effectiveness analyses of complex wound interventions reveals optimal treatments for specific wound types (doi: 10.1186/s12916-015-0326-3)
Rapid Review of Systematic Reviews
Definition: A type of rapid systematic review focused solely on synthesizing evidence from published systematic reviews to identify effective interventions within a large body of evidence
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal
KT Program Example: A rapid review on inhaled long-acting anti-muscarinic agents for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Link to report)
Rapid Update of a Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis
Definition: The goal of a rapid update is to quickly bring an existing systematic review up to date by incorporating the latest published evidence into an existing review and/or analysis.
Possible Deliverables: Written report including an executive summary (1-3 pg) and/or scientific summary (5-10 pg); Research brief (1 page) to facilitate dissemination of results; Oral presentation (slide deck) to facilitate knowledge exchange; Manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal
KT Program Example: Comparative safety and efficacy of cognitive enhancers for patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a rapid update (Link to report)
Rapid Literature Search and Screening
Definition: A literature search and title/abstract screening is carried out to compile lists of evidence relevant to a specific topic or question. The search can be based on an existing strategy or on one developed specifically for the current project.
Possible Deliverables: Collected reference lists (Excel spreadsheets); Archive of search results (EndNote Library); Written report detailing methods of search/screening and an overview of results
KT PROGRAM EXAMPLE: Reference Lists – Cancer Surgery Quality Indicators
Objective: To conduct a rapid literature search and screening in the span of 6 weeks to compile a set of reference lists to be used as an evidence base to define a set of standards and indicators for cancer surgery to be used in the development of an outcome reporting tool for cancer surgery across Canada.
Methods: A literature search specific to four disease sites of interest (Lung, Thyroid, Ovarian, and Endometrial cancer) was carried out in Medline from the year 2000 to December 2014. Eligible studies included those relevant to one of the four disease sites, relevance to quality/performance indicators or outcomes for cancer surgery and/or treatment, and those published in English.
Results: A total of 11,992 citations were returned in the initial search, of which 3,382 were excluded for failing to mention a disease site of interest and 3,132 were excluded for failing to mention quality indicators or outcomes related to cancer treatment. A total of 5,478 citations were included and further sorted into reference lists specific to the disease site of interest. In each reference list results were further classified by population (adult, pediatric, mixed) and whether the report clearly mentioned treatment outcomes and/or quality indicators. A report outlining the methods of the search and screening as well as an overview of the results was prepared in addition to the reference lists.