Article type
Abstract
Background:
Rapid reviews are essential for addressing urgent and high-priority health questions. In response to the evolving landscape of evidence synthesis, the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group published interim guidance in 2020. This guidance aimed to expedite the production of systematic reviews while maintaining methodological rigor. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical need for timely evidence synthesis, leading to increased demand for and acceptance of rapid reviews.
Objectives:
To present the updated version of the Cochrane rapid review methods guidance, integrating new knowledge and feedback from users of the interim guidance to support conducting rapid reviews of effectiveness, ensuring relevance and applicability both within and beyond the Cochrane community. The updated guidance aims to enhance user-friendliness and practicality while maintaining methodological rigor.
Methods:
The update process involved several steps. It built upon the interim guidance and incorporated findings from a formal evaluation assessing authors' adherence to and understanding of the guidance. Additionally, a comprehensive literature scan was conducted to identify relevant studies published since the original guidance. A collaborative effort involving methodologists specializing in rapid reviews provided input on proposed modifications to the guidance and was informed by a series of methods papers to accompany it.
Results:
The updated guidance clarifies key concepts and provides a refined list of 24 recommendations for conducting Cochrane rapid reviews. These recommendations cover various aspects of rapid review methodology, including restricted methods, timelines, and involvement of knowledge users. Examples and practical tips are provided to facilitate implementation. The guidance emphasizes the importance of tailoring methods to each review's specific context and resources.
Conclusions:
The updated Cochrane rapid review methods guidance offers practical, evidence-informed recommendations to support timely and rigorous evidence synthesis. By addressing user feedback and incorporating new knowledge, the guidance aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of rapid review processes. It underscores the importance of balancing methodological rigor with the need for expedited evidence synthesis in health care decision-making.
Reference: Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group. BMJ. 2024 Feb 6;384:e076335. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076335. PMID: 38320771.
Rapid reviews are essential for addressing urgent and high-priority health questions. In response to the evolving landscape of evidence synthesis, the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group published interim guidance in 2020. This guidance aimed to expedite the production of systematic reviews while maintaining methodological rigor. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical need for timely evidence synthesis, leading to increased demand for and acceptance of rapid reviews.
Objectives:
To present the updated version of the Cochrane rapid review methods guidance, integrating new knowledge and feedback from users of the interim guidance to support conducting rapid reviews of effectiveness, ensuring relevance and applicability both within and beyond the Cochrane community. The updated guidance aims to enhance user-friendliness and practicality while maintaining methodological rigor.
Methods:
The update process involved several steps. It built upon the interim guidance and incorporated findings from a formal evaluation assessing authors' adherence to and understanding of the guidance. Additionally, a comprehensive literature scan was conducted to identify relevant studies published since the original guidance. A collaborative effort involving methodologists specializing in rapid reviews provided input on proposed modifications to the guidance and was informed by a series of methods papers to accompany it.
Results:
The updated guidance clarifies key concepts and provides a refined list of 24 recommendations for conducting Cochrane rapid reviews. These recommendations cover various aspects of rapid review methodology, including restricted methods, timelines, and involvement of knowledge users. Examples and practical tips are provided to facilitate implementation. The guidance emphasizes the importance of tailoring methods to each review's specific context and resources.
Conclusions:
The updated Cochrane rapid review methods guidance offers practical, evidence-informed recommendations to support timely and rigorous evidence synthesis. By addressing user feedback and incorporating new knowledge, the guidance aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of rapid review processes. It underscores the importance of balancing methodological rigor with the need for expedited evidence synthesis in health care decision-making.
Reference: Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group. BMJ. 2024 Feb 6;384:e076335. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076335. PMID: 38320771.