Article type
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Abstract
Background: The use of high-quality research evidence is necessary to support human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention efforts and treatments. Timely use of evidence can improve the experiences and health outcomes of HIV positive individuals. However, individual studies are often not enough to drive policy or treatment changes, as only the strongest study designs (e.g., systematic reviews) can yield robust recommendations. Stakeholders often lack the capacity to navigate research databases and rapidly identify relevant research evidence to support their initiatives. Effectively connecting community organizations, researchers, and policymakers to high-quality research evidence in a timely manner is imperative in the development of evidence-informed programs and policy change towards the end of the HIV epidemic.
Objectives: To describe the features of a free online searchable database of HIV-related systematic reviews called Synthesized HIV/AIDS Research Evidence (SHARE).
Methods: The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) has developed SHARE, an online database which provides access to timely high-quality HIV research for stakeholders available at www.hivevidence.org. A search of MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Library is conducted quarterly to locate articles for screening and inclusion. Reviewers then categorize included articles according to four HIV-relevant domains: population(s) of interest; prevention, engagement and treatment cascade; health systems; and syndemics and determinants of health. SHARE also includes rapid response reviews on novel topics produced by the OHTN.
Results: As of February 1st, 2020, over 43,000 articles have been screened for SHARE with 3,225 peer-reviewed systematic reviews and rapid responses categorized and included in the database. Articles focus on 15 population groups and 29 different syndemic and social determinant categories. A total of 72% of articles (n=2,322) relate to the prevention, engagement, and treatment cascade. Email blasts with the latest updates made to the database are sent quarterly to stakeholders which include 2,364 HIV-related systematic review authors, 502 librarians and listservs, and 112 HIV research organizations worldwide. Since March 2017 (when tracking of website visitors using Google Analytics was initiated), there have been 2383 unique visitors to the database from 70 countries (Figure 1).
Conclusions: The SHARE database has the potential to support research, decision-making, and rapid learning related to HIV/AIDS at all levels of the healthcare system by disseminating high-quality and timely HIV relevant research to stakeholders worldwide. Efforts to promote the SHARE database are being strengthened to continuously expand its reach and to ensure it remains useful for HIV/AIDS researchers, policymakers, and community organizations.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: The database aims to support evidence-informed decision making to improve the lives of those living with and at risk of HIV.
Objectives: To describe the features of a free online searchable database of HIV-related systematic reviews called Synthesized HIV/AIDS Research Evidence (SHARE).
Methods: The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) has developed SHARE, an online database which provides access to timely high-quality HIV research for stakeholders available at www.hivevidence.org. A search of MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Library is conducted quarterly to locate articles for screening and inclusion. Reviewers then categorize included articles according to four HIV-relevant domains: population(s) of interest; prevention, engagement and treatment cascade; health systems; and syndemics and determinants of health. SHARE also includes rapid response reviews on novel topics produced by the OHTN.
Results: As of February 1st, 2020, over 43,000 articles have been screened for SHARE with 3,225 peer-reviewed systematic reviews and rapid responses categorized and included in the database. Articles focus on 15 population groups and 29 different syndemic and social determinant categories. A total of 72% of articles (n=2,322) relate to the prevention, engagement, and treatment cascade. Email blasts with the latest updates made to the database are sent quarterly to stakeholders which include 2,364 HIV-related systematic review authors, 502 librarians and listservs, and 112 HIV research organizations worldwide. Since March 2017 (when tracking of website visitors using Google Analytics was initiated), there have been 2383 unique visitors to the database from 70 countries (Figure 1).
Conclusions: The SHARE database has the potential to support research, decision-making, and rapid learning related to HIV/AIDS at all levels of the healthcare system by disseminating high-quality and timely HIV relevant research to stakeholders worldwide. Efforts to promote the SHARE database are being strengthened to continuously expand its reach and to ensure it remains useful for HIV/AIDS researchers, policymakers, and community organizations.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: The database aims to support evidence-informed decision making to improve the lives of those living with and at risk of HIV.