Cochrane systematic reviewing for the uninitiated: An interactive demo
Mansi, Kamel Haynes, Euan Adams, Clive E.
Mansi, Kamel
Haynes, Euan
Adams, Clive E.
Abstract
Background: Systematic reviews completed meticulously provide the highest quality of evidence. This process is laborious (hundreds to thousands of man-hours), time consuming (~2 years to publication) and requires an active, interested work force. In 2010, there were 75 randomised trials published daily and with this number growing year after year, it seems humanly impossible to stay on top. We need quick quality systematic reviews to assimilate this. Objectives: To evaluate whether inexperienced medical students, with aid of technology and judicious supervision, could complete systematic reviews quickly. Methods: We recruited a school leaver and a medical student and provided free online training (sites.google. com/site/revmantutorial1). Two computer programmers interested in JAVA built a bespoke automated writing tool (Rev Man HAL). Findings: Students watched videos and required 8 hours of supervision time in total. Rev Man HAL can write a readable, acceptable results section in 35 seconds, once the data extraction is completed. A high-quality Cochrane review can be completed in 1 month. Conclusions: Enthusiastic, inexperienced people can complete high-quality systematic reviews quickly in an error free, readable and scientific manner. Perhaps we can yet stay on top of the surf without drowning in the volume of literature coming through every day.
MIDER Authors
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Date
2014
Type
Conference Proceeding
Subject
Information storage and retrieval, Data collection
Collections
Citation
Jayaram, M., Polzmacher, S., Wolff, A., Koch, K., Mansi, K., Haynes, E. & Adams, C. E. (2014). Cochrane systematic reviewing for the uninitiated: An interactive demo. In: Malhi, G. S., (Ed.) Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2014 Congress, 11-15 May 2014 Perth, Australia. Victoria: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, p.112-113.