Advancing methods for overviews of reviews: a discussion of challenges and potential solutions

Article type
Authors
Foisy M1, Dryden D2, Fernandes R3, Hartling L4, Thomson D5
1Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence, University of Alberta
2University of Alberta
3Child Health Field
4Cochrane Child Health Field
5Cochrane Child Health Field, University of Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Objectives:
1) Provide information about the methodological research we are currently conducting to advance overview methods.
2) Group discussions about the challenges involved when conducting overviews, and potential solutions to these challenges. Challenges we have encountered include: inclusion of multiple systematic reviews (SRs) on the same topic area, re-analysis of study-level data within SRs, and grading the evidence using the SR as the unit of analysis.
We would like to increase awareness about the methods and potential challenges involved in conducting overviews, and we are currently working towards the standardization of conduct and reporting of overviews.

Description:
Overviews of reviews, previously called 'umbrella reviews', are an emerging method of evidence synthesis and are now indexed in the Cochrane Library. Overviews compile information from multiple SRs to provide a single synthesis of relevant evidence for decision-making. The Cochrane Child Health Field has produced more than 30 overviews for the journal 'Evidence-Based Child Health'. Research conducted by our group has found variation in the conduct and reporting of overviews, and we are currently conducting research to refine and advance overview methods.