Objective:
To help reviewers write a protocol for a review of treatments to improve survival from cancer.
Description:
Most reviews of treatments for cancer specify survival as the primary outcome of interest. This workshop will focus on how to write a protocol for these reviews, in particular:
- writing the background in plain English;
- specifying the inclusion criteria;
- specifying primary and secondary outcomes and adverse events;
- search strategy;
- quality assessment;
- statistical methods for analysis of survival outcomes.
The workshop will be based on a skeleton protocol that includes the main features usually required for such a review. Presentation of the principles and methodology underlying each aspect of the protocol will be followed by small group discussions of the participants' own reviews. The team of facilitators includes experienced statisticians, information scientists and review group co-ordinators who will advise the participants on how to adapt the skeleton protocol to their specific needs.
No previous knowledge will be assumed.