Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Systematic reviews (SRs) on the effect of interventions are important sources of research for practitioners and other stakeholders in the fields of child welfare and child mental health. However, finding, appraising and using research literature may appear both difficult and time-consuming to practitioners.
Objectives: To support practitioners’ use of research by identifying and quality appraising all SRs on the effect of interventions in child welfare and child mental health.
Methods: To identify SRs investigating the effect of any intervention concerning child (< 18 years) welfare or child mental health we carried out pilot searches in bibliographic databases (the Cochrane and Campbell Libraries, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, DARE etc.) focusing on specific topics of interest (e.g. child depression and anxiety;).
However, the overlaps between the subject specific searches were considerable. For this reason, we decided to carry out one broader, exhaustive search per database, in order to identify all potentially relevant SRs simultaneously. The searches will be re-run semi-annually.
Inclusion/exclusion: Two researchers will independently screen identified titles/abstracts and quality assess included SRs, using AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews). Following inclusion, references will be coded and published in the IN SUM database, which is under development - but will be accessible, and free, for all. For selected SRs, we will produce Norwegian/English plain language summaries. Where we identify synopses of syntheses (e.g. DARE or Health Evidence summaries) for included SRs, we will provide a link to the synopsis in the relevant SR reference.
Results: The exhaustive search will be conducted in March 2015. We estimate that we will complete the initial selection, appraisal and publication process by 1 July 2015.
Conclusions: SRs are important in informing decisions in child mental health and welfare. We believe that through the provision of easy access to quality-appraised relevant SRs and plain language summaries, the IN SUM database has the potential of becoming a valuable source for practitioners in our field.
Objectives: To support practitioners’ use of research by identifying and quality appraising all SRs on the effect of interventions in child welfare and child mental health.
Methods: To identify SRs investigating the effect of any intervention concerning child (< 18 years) welfare or child mental health we carried out pilot searches in bibliographic databases (the Cochrane and Campbell Libraries, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, DARE etc.) focusing on specific topics of interest (e.g. child depression and anxiety;).
However, the overlaps between the subject specific searches were considerable. For this reason, we decided to carry out one broader, exhaustive search per database, in order to identify all potentially relevant SRs simultaneously. The searches will be re-run semi-annually.
Inclusion/exclusion: Two researchers will independently screen identified titles/abstracts and quality assess included SRs, using AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews). Following inclusion, references will be coded and published in the IN SUM database, which is under development - but will be accessible, and free, for all. For selected SRs, we will produce Norwegian/English plain language summaries. Where we identify synopses of syntheses (e.g. DARE or Health Evidence summaries) for included SRs, we will provide a link to the synopsis in the relevant SR reference.
Results: The exhaustive search will be conducted in March 2015. We estimate that we will complete the initial selection, appraisal and publication process by 1 July 2015.
Conclusions: SRs are important in informing decisions in child mental health and welfare. We believe that through the provision of easy access to quality-appraised relevant SRs and plain language summaries, the IN SUM database has the potential of becoming a valuable source for practitioners in our field.