Hi all
I like Badri's attempt to clarify the terminology. One problem with the term
expanded systematic review is that on some occasions it appears to be used
to cover the two steps of (1) systematic review (asking the questions how
good is the evidence and what is the size of the effect?) and (2)
implementation (asking the questions is this relevant, acceptable, feasible
and how do we do it? The way Andrew Smith used the term, he used it to mean
combining a systematic review with other types of evidence - a perfectly
valid thing to do in implementation but is not in itself an expansion of the
systematic review. Call me a pedant, but I would prefer to avoid the term
expanded systematic review for the sake of clarity
--
B/W, Kev Hopayian
-------on 22/10/03 5:00 pm, Badri at [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> Greetings from Southend in the Southeast of England.
>
> I am a bit confused about the on going discussion on expanded systematic
> reviews. For systematic reviews, I am thinking of the traditional Cochran
> model where one systematically reviews the literature (published,
> unpublished etc), critically appraises and summarises the current best
> evidence that is available at the given time.
>
> However, due to paucity of evidence or poor quality literature if we expand
> by including expert advisory group, case studies, stakeholder interviews
> etc in generating evidence are we not diluting the process?
>
> Sure the patients/consumers/customers views are very critical but should
> they inform us of the evidence or when presented with the current best
> evidence and the options choose what they prefer? In essence should they be
> involved in generating/synthesising evidence or in implementation?
>
> I got a bit confused (may be I did not grasp the issue under discussion)
> and just sharing my thoughts and must stress that I am in no way belittling
> the excellent work done by Andy et al (hats off to them for their expanded
> review) on physician and non-physician anaesthetists.
>
> Apologies if the above looks very naïve and not relevant to the topic under
> discussion.
>
> Cheers & regards,
>
> Badri
> http://myprofile.cos.com/badrishanthi
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