Systematic reviews registers as a Cochrane Field activity

Article type
Authors
Thomson D1, Hartling L1
1Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Background: The Cochrane Child Health Field (CHF) has developed a register of child-relevant Cochrane Systematic Reviews (CSRs). Developing a register that contains and describes SRs within a Field’s scope is valuable in order to: 1) make relevant evidence regarding important healthcare decisions readily accessible to decision-makers; 2) identify gaps in the evidence base where SRs are required; 3) assist with prioritization of topics for synthesis; 4) describe the quantity and quality of primary research contributing to SRs; 5) provide a basis for methodological research to identify and understand biases in SRs and primary studies; and, 6) provide a basis for recommendations regarding the conduct and reporting of relevant primary research. Objectives: The objectives of this presentation are to describe the development of the CHF SR register and to highlight the value to Cochrane Fields of developing registers relevant to each Field’s scope. Methods: We will review the methods the CHF has implemented to develop and maintain its register, with special attention paid to how our Field defined its scope and developed a screening algorithm. Results: The CHF SR Register currently contains 1,046 SRs with over 60 data points on each SR, including general characteristics, characteristics of included studies, and methodological approaches. We will discuss the information the CHF now has about the Cochrane SRs in its scope and the analyses that have been based on the information in the SR Register. We will describe plans for methodological work based on the information contained in the Register. Lastly, we will discuss methods for updating the register, and our plans for including non-Cochrane SRs. This information may assist other Fields in carrying out similar work. Conclusions: We believe that SR Registers are important work for Fields in order to understand the nature and comprehensiveness of SR evidence in the Field’s scope.