Objectives: To provide information to help participants decide whether an individual patient data approach to systematic review might be appropriate in their own circumstances, and to enable them to start to plan and initiate IPD reviews.

Description: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that obtain original research data on individual participants (IPD) enrolled in trials have been described as the gold standard of review. However, they are likely to take longer and may be more resource intensive than other types of systematic review.
This workshop will consider the potential advantages and disadvantages of the IPD approach, including benefits arising from improved data quality, benefits afforded by the type of analyses that can be done, and advantages of an international multi-disciplinary team approach. Disadvantages and barriers relating to resource and expertise, negotiating collaboration, and software requirements will also be discussed. Based on our experience, we will describe practical aspects of: planning; initiating and maintaining collaboration; collecting, checking and analysing data and reporting results.

Target Audience: Review authors and editors.

Style: Training workshop