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Worksheet for Using Systematic Reviews

Therapy Focus


Worksheet: PDF(printable worksheet) WORD (fill in on-line)

Citation:

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Are the Results of the Study Valid?

* Note that these validity criteria can be applied to systematic reviews in any domain (Therapy, Diagnosis, Harm, Prognosis)

1. Did the overview address a focused clinical question?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


2. Were the criteria used to select articles for inclusion appropriate?

arrowPatients? Exposures? Outcomes? Methodological standards?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


3. Is it unlikely that important, relevant studies were missed?

arrowRelevant databases searched?
arrowReference lists?
arrowPersonal contacts?
arrowDetailed search strategy provided?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


4. Was the validity of the included studies appraised?

arrowValidity criteria?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


5. Were assessments of studies reproducible?

arrowBlinded reviewers?
arrowInter-observer agreement?

 

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


6. Were the results similar from study to study?

arrowTest of homogeneity?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


What are the Results?

*Note that these questions apply only to systematic reviews of therapy

1. What are the overall results of the review?

arrowOverall ORs, RRs?
arrowWeighing of Studies?


2. How precise were the results?

arrowConfidence Intervals?


Will the Results Help Me in Caring for My Patients?

1. Can the results be applied to my patient care?   

arrowPatients similar for demographics, severity, co-morbidity, and other prognostic factors?
arrowCompelling reasons why the results should not be applied?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


2. Were all clinically important outcomes considered?

arrowAre substitute endpoints valid?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


3. Are the likely treatment benefits worth the potential harms and costs?

arrowNNT for different outcomes?

[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Can't Tell


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