Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Qualitative evidence syntheses published in the Cochrane Library provide additional evidence to inform or supplement effectiveness reviews. However, the methods used to link the findings of qualitative evidence syntheses and effectiveness reviews are not yet established, and tend to vary across review teams.
Objectives: To discuss the methods used, and our experiences when supplementing evidence from the review ‘The effectiveness of policies promoting facility-based deliveries in reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries’ with the qualitative evidence synthesis: ‘Factors that influence the provision of intrapartum and postnatal care by skilled birth attendants in low-and middle-income countries’.
Methods: When synthesizing qualitative evidence, we utilise a logic model that represents the theories and assumptions about the links between various inputs and activities through which skilled attendance at birth influences outcomes. Reviewers then map the review findings to the logical model; adapt or elaborate the model as needed; and subsequently assess how the findings relate to the results of the effectiveness review. In particular, we seek to provide explanations of how the context or other relevant findings influence the outcomes reported in the effectiveness review. In addition to presenting the methods we used, we will share our experiences from the process of linking the two reviews.
Results: Close collaboration between the two review teams, facilitated by face-to-face contact, has contributed to the development of both reviews. This collaboration has enabled us to identify areas where the qualitative evidence synthesis can explore and explain the findings from the effectiveness review. Both reviews are in progress and additional results will be available at the time of the Colloquium.
Conclusions: Methods for linking qualitative evidence synthesis reviews to effectiveness reviews are yet to be established. Close collaboration of review teams facilitates this process. Data from qualitative evidence synthesis provides useful additional information about how and why interventions work.
Objectives: To discuss the methods used, and our experiences when supplementing evidence from the review ‘The effectiveness of policies promoting facility-based deliveries in reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries’ with the qualitative evidence synthesis: ‘Factors that influence the provision of intrapartum and postnatal care by skilled birth attendants in low-and middle-income countries’.
Methods: When synthesizing qualitative evidence, we utilise a logic model that represents the theories and assumptions about the links between various inputs and activities through which skilled attendance at birth influences outcomes. Reviewers then map the review findings to the logical model; adapt or elaborate the model as needed; and subsequently assess how the findings relate to the results of the effectiveness review. In particular, we seek to provide explanations of how the context or other relevant findings influence the outcomes reported in the effectiveness review. In addition to presenting the methods we used, we will share our experiences from the process of linking the two reviews.
Results: Close collaboration between the two review teams, facilitated by face-to-face contact, has contributed to the development of both reviews. This collaboration has enabled us to identify areas where the qualitative evidence synthesis can explore and explain the findings from the effectiveness review. Both reviews are in progress and additional results will be available at the time of the Colloquium.
Conclusions: Methods for linking qualitative evidence synthesis reviews to effectiveness reviews are yet to be established. Close collaboration of review teams facilitates this process. Data from qualitative evidence synthesis provides useful additional information about how and why interventions work.