Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The Belgian Red Cross-Flanders developed an up-to-date first aid handbook for Flanders (Belgium), containing practical instructions for laypeople concerning how to provide initial care in case of an acute illness or injury, according to the principles of Evidence-Based Practice. Amongst other databases, the Cochrane Library was searched for systematic reviews (SRs) that address PICO (population, intervention, comparator, outcomes) questions concerning first aid.
Objectives: As Cochrane aims to synthesize clinical research and, by this influence decision making, the objective of this study was to investigate whether Cochrane SRs are useful for a practical guideline designed for laypeople.
Methods: A total of 319 PICO questions, subdivided into 17 first aid categories, were addressed by searching for SRs and individual studies in MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library, leading to 191 PICOs for which evidence was found (60%). A post hoc analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of Cochrane SRs in the 191 evidence summaries made.
Results: Of the 191 PICOs supported by evidence, 71 were supported by a SR (37%), of which 41 were Cochrane SRs (58%). The first aid topics best supported by a Cochrane SR were 'pregnancy and delivery' (30% of the PICOs for this topic were addressed by a Cochrane SR), 'infections' (29%) and 'chest pain' (29%). In contrast, for the chapters 'burns', 'illnesses due to heat and cold' or 'poisoning', no relevant Cochrane SRs were found. Fifty-four per cent of the Cochrane SRs used were less than five years old and 22% were over five years old but considered 'stable', showing that 24% of the Cochrane SRs used were out of date and not considered 'stable'. For 5/10 summaries where these Cochrane SRs were used, additional evidence from more recent individual studies was found and included.
Conclusions: Evidence could be extracted from Cochrane reviews for only a limited number of the PICOs, during the development of a first aid guideline. This amount varied strongly between different topics. However, if a Cochrane SR review was available, it was found to be up to date in the majority of cases.
Objectives: As Cochrane aims to synthesize clinical research and, by this influence decision making, the objective of this study was to investigate whether Cochrane SRs are useful for a practical guideline designed for laypeople.
Methods: A total of 319 PICO questions, subdivided into 17 first aid categories, were addressed by searching for SRs and individual studies in MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library, leading to 191 PICOs for which evidence was found (60%). A post hoc analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of Cochrane SRs in the 191 evidence summaries made.
Results: Of the 191 PICOs supported by evidence, 71 were supported by a SR (37%), of which 41 were Cochrane SRs (58%). The first aid topics best supported by a Cochrane SR were 'pregnancy and delivery' (30% of the PICOs for this topic were addressed by a Cochrane SR), 'infections' (29%) and 'chest pain' (29%). In contrast, for the chapters 'burns', 'illnesses due to heat and cold' or 'poisoning', no relevant Cochrane SRs were found. Fifty-four per cent of the Cochrane SRs used were less than five years old and 22% were over five years old but considered 'stable', showing that 24% of the Cochrane SRs used were out of date and not considered 'stable'. For 5/10 summaries where these Cochrane SRs were used, additional evidence from more recent individual studies was found and included.
Conclusions: Evidence could be extracted from Cochrane reviews for only a limited number of the PICOs, during the development of a first aid guideline. This amount varied strongly between different topics. However, if a Cochrane SR review was available, it was found to be up to date in the majority of cases.