Background: This presentation will evaluate the 'Summary of findings' (SoF) table as a knowledge translation tool to communicate key evidence from systematic reviews to clinicians. Systematic reviews are currently viewed as the highest levels of evidence to support decision-making in healthcare. However, barriers such as time limitations, complexity and large volumes of research can impact negatively on the ability and willingness of potential review users to engage with full versions of systematic reviews. SoF tables may filter the information overload for clinicians enabling them to make better decisions.
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of SoF tables on user understanding of findings from systematic reviews.
Methods: This systematic review will include published and unpublished, randomised trials and non-randomised trials, where the effects of exposure to SoF tables of systematic reviews on one or more outcomes is measured. The included trials will compare SoF tables to an alternative method of dissemination of systematic reviews.
Results: To be confirmed.
Conclusions: If the results indicate that SoF tables support increased understanding, then the review will benefit potential users of systematic reviews such as clinicians, guideline developers, policy makers and other stakeholders such as charitable organisations and individuals or groups who inform the patient population and/or the public. It may provide recommendations in a form in which they can quickly access the key findings of future reviews. It may also support these users in making decisions about whether creating SoFs would be a good way of disseminating review findings (and potentially other research findings) within their own organisations.