CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making from edX

Discover practical ways to critically appraise scientific literature, including the conduction and interpretation of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Additionally, you will learn how to conduct literature searches using online academic databases, hear about economic evaluations, and understand how clinical practice guidelines are used to guide decision making.

This course includes the following 11 lectures:

Overview of Systematic Reviews
Finding and Managing the Evidence from the Biomedical Literature
Intervention Reviews Methodology
Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials: Direct Comparisons
Introduction to Meta-Analysis: Indirect Comparisons
Meta-Analysis of Non-Randomized Studies
Diagnostic Test Evaluation
Meta-Synthesis
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Economic Evaluation
Decision Analysis for Outcomes Research

This course is intended for anyone interested in comparative effectiveness research (CER) and patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) methods.

This course is supported by grant number R25HS023214 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses using academic databases and interpret and report results
Define strategies for critically appraising the literature

Describe economic evaluation methods
Describe how decisions can be made using clinical practice guidelines

Conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses using academic databases and interpret and report results
Define strategies for critically appraising the literature
Describe economic evaluation methods
Describe how decisions can be made using clinical practice guidelines

Syllabus

Overview of Systematic Reviews

Knowledge synthesis and the knowledge-to-action process

Benefits and limitations of systematic reviews

Steps of a systematic review and levels of evidence

Finding and Managing the Evidence from the Biomedical Literature

How to search published and unpublished materials on topic of interest in a systematic and repeatable manner

Intervention Reviews Methodology

How to select and appraise studies

Strategies for collecting and analyzing data

How to report and update systematic reviews

Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials: Direct Comparisons

Qualitative and quantitative synthesis

Models to use during data analysis

Heterogeneity

Reporting methods for meta-analyses

Introduction to Meta-Analysis: Indirect Comparisons

Indirect comparisons

Evidence networks

Effect modifiers and how they are a source of bias

Meta-Analysis of Non-Randomized Studies

Risks of bias in non-randomized studies

Meta-regression as a tool to reduce risk of bias

Caveats of meta-regression

Reporting meta-analyses of non-randomized studies

Diagnostic Test Evaluation

Purposes for medical testing

Precision and accuracy

Measures of validity for diagnostic/screening tests

Likelihood ratio for analysis of test performance

ROC curves for analysis of test performance

Meta-Synthesis

Methods for collecting and synthesizing data

Reporting of meta-synthesis findings

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Process of guideline development

How evidence is evaluated

How clinical practice guidelines are evaluated and revised

Economic Evaluation

Clinical decision analysis and economic evaluation

Costs and methods for economic evaluation

Cost-effectiveness and cost analysis

Steps for economic evaluation

Decision Analysis for Outcomes Research

Decision analysis and modeling

Markov modeling

Capturing of uncertainty in models

Examples of decision modeling in cancer outcomes research

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops systematic review and meta-analysis skills, which are sought-after in research and academia

Explores economic evaluation methods, which are important for healthcare decision-making

Taught by experienced researchers in the field, indicating the course's academic rigor

Requires access to academic databases, which may pose a barrier for some learners

Provides a comprehensive overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, making it suitable for beginners

Covers advanced topics such as meta-regression and decision analysis, appealing to experienced researchers

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making with these activities:

Attend a Conference on Evidence-Based Practice

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Provides exposure to cutting-edge research and best practices in evidence-based healthcare.

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Identify and register for a relevant conference
Attend keynote speeches and workshops
Network with experts and practitioners

Review Probability and Statistics Concepts

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Refreshes and strengthens foundational knowledge in probability and statistics.

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Review textbook chapters or online resources
Complete practice problems
Attend a refresher course or workshop

Review the basics of statistics

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Restudy the fundamental concepts of statistics, such as measures of central tendency, variability, and hypothesis testing, to refresh your knowledge

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Read through your course notes or a basic statistics textbook.
Take some practice quizzes or answer practice problems to test your understanding

12 other activities

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Read and Summarize a Textbook on Systematic Reviews

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Provides a comprehensive foundation in the principles and methods of systematic reviews.

View Introduction to Meta-Analysis on Amazon

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Skim the table of contents and introduction
Read selected chapters relevant to course topics
Summarize key concepts and methods in your own words

Assemble a Collection of Resources on Comparative Effectiveness Research

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Creates a valuable resource for students to access additional materials.

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Search for relevant articles, websites, and databases
Identify key resources and organize them into categories
Create a bibliography or online repository of the resources

Explore Advanced Statistical Methods

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Enhances students' understanding of statistical methods used in meta-analyses.

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Identify online courses or tutorials on advanced statistical methods
Review materials and complete practice exercises
Apply methods to real-world datasets

Learn how to use a statistical software package

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Gain proficiency in using statistical software, like SPSS, R, or SAS, to analyze and interpret data for your systematic reviews

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Watch online tutorials or take an introductory course in the software.
Practice using the software by analyzing a small dataset.

Discuss your research ideas with classmates

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Engage in peer discussions to refine your research questions, identify potential biases, and get feedback on your proposed methodologies

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Share your research interests and proposed study design with peers.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each other's research plans.

Write a summary of a research article

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Summarize key findings and methodologies from a research paper to enhance your understanding and retention of the material

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Choose a relevant research article to summarize.
Identify the main points of the article.
Write a concise summary of the article.

Conduct Mock Systematic Reviews

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Develops competency and confidence in the methodologies and tools used in systematic reviews.

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Select a research topic of interest
Develop a detailed research question and protocol
Search for relevant studies and extract data
Synthesize the results and interpret the findings

Create a meta-analysis plan

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Develop a detailed plan for conducting a meta-analysis, including your research question, data sources, and analysis methods, to strengthen your methodological skills

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Define your research question and search strategy.
Specify the inclusion and exclusion criteria for your meta-analysis.
Develop a data extraction plan.
Choose the appropriate statistical methods for your analysis.

Collaborate on Literature Appraisal

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Strengthens critical appraisal skills and fosters collaboration among students.

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Form groups of 3-4 students
Assign each group a research article
Have students individually appraise the article using a structured tool
Facilitate group discussion to compare and contrast appraisals

Conduct a systematic review of the literature

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Practice the skills involved in conducting a systematic review, from developing a research question to analyzing and interpreting the results

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Define your research question and search strategy.
Identify and select relevant studies.
Extract data and assess the quality of the studies.
Analyze the data and interpret the results.

Develop a Clinical Decision-Making Algorithm

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Promotes application of course concepts in real-world clinical scenarios.

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Identify a clinical question to address
Review relevant evidence and guidelines
Design an algorithm based on evidence and best practices
Present the algorithm in a clear and concise manner

Contribute to the Cochrane Library

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Offers hands-on experience in the production of high-quality systematic reviews.

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Identify a research question and develop a protocol
Search for and retrieve relevant studies
Extract data and conduct analyses
Write up the review and submit it to the Cochrane Library

Career center

Learners who complete CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systematic Reviewer

Systematic Reviewers conduct systematic reviews of scientific literature to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of healthcare interventions. They may also develop and evaluate guidelines for the conduct of systematic reviews. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making is highly relevant to the work of a Systematic Reviewer as it provides instruction in the methods and techniques used to conduct systematic reviews.

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Biostatistician

Biostatisticians design and analyze statistical studies in the medical field. They may also collaborate with other scientists to develop new statistical methods. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making can provide Biostatisticians with a deeper understanding of the methods used to evaluate and synthesize scientific literature, which is an important part of their job.

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Health Economist

Health Economists analyze the cost and value of healthcare interventions. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or healthcare providers. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making can provide Health Economists with a deeper understanding of the methods used to evaluate and synthesize scientific literature, which is an important part of their job.

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Clinical Epidemiologist

Clinical Epidemiologists investigate the causes and distribution of disease in human populations. They may also develop and evaluate public health programs and policies. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making can provide Clinical Epidemiologists with a deeper understanding of the methods used to evaluate and synthesize scientific literature, which is an important part of their job.

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Medical Science Liaison

Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) provide scientific and medical information about a company's products to healthcare professionals. They may also conduct training and education programs for healthcare professionals. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making can help MSLs develop the skills and knowledge needed to evaluate and interpret scientific literature, which is an important part of their job.

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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives promote and sell pharmaceutical products to healthcare providers. They may also provide educational materials and support to healthcare providers and patients. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making can provide Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives with a deeper understanding of the scientific evidence behind the products they sell, which can help them to be more effective in their roles.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research and analyze health policy issues to help inform decision making. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy groups. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making can help Health Policy Analysts develop the skills and knowledge needed to evaluate and interpret scientific literature, which is an important part of their job.

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Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) monitor clinical trials to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and regulations. CRAs work with investigators, study coordinators, and other members of the research team to ensure that the rights and safety of study participants are protected. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making is highly relevant to the work of a CRA as it helps build a foundational understanding of the research process.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers create educational and promotional content for the medical field and pharmaceutical industry. The content Medical Writers create can include scientific articles, press releases, fact sheets, website content, and many other kinds of deliverables. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making can increase the appeal of Medical Writers to potential employers as it provides instruction in some of the skills and knowledge Medical Writers use in their jobs.

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Research Scientist

While Research Scientist involves a wide range of specializations, most Research Scientists are involved in the generation and advancement of new knowledge. Research Scientists usually specialize in a particular area, such as biology, chemistry, or physics. A course in CERTaIN: Knowledge Synthesis: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Decision Making may be useful for those who specialize in the medical sciences, as it can help build a foundation in the methods used to evaluate and synthesize scientific literature.

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