How to plan and implement synthesis questions (part 2): Implementing PICO in RevMan to streamline data extraction and analyses

Article type
Authors
Flemyng E1, Van Valkenhoef G2, Sambunjak D3, Brennan S4, McKenzie J5, Cumpston M1, Arevalo-Rodriguez I1, Hall R
1Cochrane Central Executive Team
2Cochrane
3Cochrane Australia, Monash University
4Methods in Evidence Synthesis Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
5Monash University and University of Newcastle
Abstract
Participants will need to bring their own laptop.

Background:
This is the second of a two-part workshop. Defining your review ‘question’ (the objective) and developing criteria for including studies in the review using the PICO framework is a fundamental step in a systematic review. As well as this review-level PICO, the concept of ‘PICO for each synthesis’ was introduced in Version 6 of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions to bring greater focus on the need to plan and report each synthesis question addressed in a systematic review. The first session introduces the InSynQ (Intervention Synthesis Questions) checklist and guide for question development and reporting and demonstrates how to plan the PICOs for hypothetical syntheses. Once a review author has defined their PICO criteria for their review and each synthesis, early investment in setting this up in RevMan can streamline the review process going forward.

Objectives:
In this second session, participants will:
• Set up the review and syntheses PICOs, with associated groupings, in RevMan using the study centric data structure
• Gain an understanding of how this can streamline data extraction and facilitate completing your analyses

Description:
This workshop will:
1. Summarize the concept of PICO for each synthesis and the InSynQ guide (introduced in part 1).
2. Complete a practical exercise in RevMan covering:
a. How to set up your predefined PICO criteria for your review and each synthesis.
b. How to use the review and synthesis criteria in RevMan to inform your data extraction forms.
c. How to import your extracted data from included studies into RevMan.
d. How to set up and complete your analyses with just a few clicks (including how RevMan automatically transforms the results data from your included studies into the review’s analyses).
3. Provide further information about the benefits of study centric data management in RevMan and how it makes systematic review production more efficient.
Attendees are strongly encouraged to attend both sessions.