Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviews
Abstract Background A systematic review (SR) helps us make sense of a body of research while minimizing bias and is routinely conducted to evaluate intervention effects in a health technology assessment (HTA). In addition to the traditional de novo SR, which combines the results of multiple primary...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Systematic Reviews |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-022-02071-7 |
| _version_ | 1811200700143632384 |
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| author | Joanne S. M. Kim Michelle Pollock David Kaunelis Laura Weeks |
| author_facet | Joanne S. M. Kim Michelle Pollock David Kaunelis Laura Weeks |
| author_sort | Joanne S. M. Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background A systematic review (SR) helps us make sense of a body of research while minimizing bias and is routinely conducted to evaluate intervention effects in a health technology assessment (HTA). In addition to the traditional de novo SR, which combines the results of multiple primary studies, there are alternative review types that use systematic methods and leverage existing SRs, namely updates of SRs and overviews of SRs. This paper shares guidance that can be used to select the most appropriate review type to conduct when evaluating intervention effects in an HTA, with a goal to leverage existing SRs and reduce research waste where possible. Process We identified key factors and considerations that can inform the process of deciding to conduct one review type over the others to answer a research question and organized them into guidance comprising a summary and a corresponding flowchart. This work consisted of three steps. First, a guidance document was drafted by methodologists from two Canadian HTA agencies based on their experience. Next, the draft guidance was supplemented with a literature review. Lastly, broader feedback from HTA researchers across Canada was sought and incorporated into the final guidance. Insights Nine key factors and six considerations were identified to help reviewers select the most appropriate review type to conduct. These fell into one of two categories: the evidentiary needs of the planned review (i.e., to understand the scope, objective, and analytic approach required for the review) and the state of the existing literature (i.e., to know the available literature in terms of its relevance, quality, comprehensiveness, currency, and findings). The accompanying flowchart, which can be used as a decision tool, demonstrates the interdependency between many of the key factors and considerations and aims to balance the potential benefits and challenges of leveraging existing SRs instead of primary study reports. Conclusions Selecting the most appropriate review type to conduct when evaluating intervention effects in an HTA requires a myriad of factors to be considered. We hope this guidance adds clarity to the many competing considerations when deciding which review type to conduct and facilitates that decision-making process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:08:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-255bb0cdb79546e1acad28e5aa99e213 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2046-4053 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:08:39Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systematic Reviews |
| spelling | doaj.art-255bb0cdb79546e1acad28e5aa99e2132022-12-22T03:52:28ZengBMCSystematic Reviews2046-40532022-09-0111112610.1186/s13643-022-02071-7Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviewsJoanne S. M. Kim0Michelle Pollock1David Kaunelis2Laura Weeks3Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in HealthInstitute of Health EconomicsCanadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in HealthCanadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in HealthAbstract Background A systematic review (SR) helps us make sense of a body of research while minimizing bias and is routinely conducted to evaluate intervention effects in a health technology assessment (HTA). In addition to the traditional de novo SR, which combines the results of multiple primary studies, there are alternative review types that use systematic methods and leverage existing SRs, namely updates of SRs and overviews of SRs. This paper shares guidance that can be used to select the most appropriate review type to conduct when evaluating intervention effects in an HTA, with a goal to leverage existing SRs and reduce research waste where possible. Process We identified key factors and considerations that can inform the process of deciding to conduct one review type over the others to answer a research question and organized them into guidance comprising a summary and a corresponding flowchart. This work consisted of three steps. First, a guidance document was drafted by methodologists from two Canadian HTA agencies based on their experience. Next, the draft guidance was supplemented with a literature review. Lastly, broader feedback from HTA researchers across Canada was sought and incorporated into the final guidance. Insights Nine key factors and six considerations were identified to help reviewers select the most appropriate review type to conduct. These fell into one of two categories: the evidentiary needs of the planned review (i.e., to understand the scope, objective, and analytic approach required for the review) and the state of the existing literature (i.e., to know the available literature in terms of its relevance, quality, comprehensiveness, currency, and findings). The accompanying flowchart, which can be used as a decision tool, demonstrates the interdependency between many of the key factors and considerations and aims to balance the potential benefits and challenges of leveraging existing SRs instead of primary study reports. Conclusions Selecting the most appropriate review type to conduct when evaluating intervention effects in an HTA requires a myriad of factors to be considered. We hope this guidance adds clarity to the many competing considerations when deciding which review type to conduct and facilitates that decision-making process.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-022-02071-7Systematic reviewReview updateOverview of reviewsEvidence synthesisHealth technology assessmentDecision tool |
| spellingShingle | Joanne S. M. Kim Michelle Pollock David Kaunelis Laura Weeks Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviews Systematic Reviews Systematic review Review update Overview of reviews Evidence synthesis Health technology assessment Decision tool |
| title | Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviews |
| title_full | Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviews |
| title_fullStr | Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviews |
| title_full_unstemmed | Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviews |
| title_short | Guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments: key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review, an update of a systematic review, or an overview of systematic reviews |
| title_sort | guidance on review type selection for health technology assessments key factors and considerations for deciding when to conduct a de novo systematic review an update of a systematic review or an overview of systematic reviews |
| topic | Systematic review Review update Overview of reviews Evidence synthesis Health technology assessment Decision tool |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-022-02071-7 |
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