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Oxford Systematic Review Development Programme
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING IN SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(a) STAGGERED 12 DAY COURSE OVER 12 MONTHS
January - December 1999
Closing Date: 30th October 1998
(b) INTENSIVE 7.5 DAY COURSE OVER 3 MONTHS
March - May 1999
Closing Date: 18th December 1998
BASED IN OXFORD
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Applications are invited for two part-time training courses
in systematic reviews based at the:
The Oxford Systematic Review Development Programme
Centre for Statistics in Medicine
Institute of Health Sciences
University of Oxford
More details are given below and on our web pages:
http://www.ihs.ox.ac.uk/csm/srdphome.html
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INTRODUCTION
Health care decision makers need to access research evidence to make
informed decisions on diagnosis, treatment and health care management for
both individual patients and populations. Systematic reviews are recognised
as one of the most useful and reliable tools to assist this practice of
evidence-based health care. These courses aim to train health care
professionals and researchers in the science and methods of systematic
reviews.
WHAT IS A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW?
There are few important questions in health care which can be informed by
consulting the result of a single empirical study. Systematic reviews
attempt to provide answers to such problems by identifying and appraising
all available studies within the relevant focus and synthesising their
results, all according to explicit methodologies. The review process places
special emphasis on assessing and maximising the value of data, both in
issues of reducing bias and minimising random error. The systematic review
method is most suitably applied to questions of patient treatment and
management, although it has also been applied to answer questions
regarding the value of diagnostic test results, likely prognoses and the
cost-effectiveness of health care.
OVERALL AIMS
The ultimate aims of these courses are to increase the publication of quality
systematic reviews. Students will receive training in the principles,
methods
and practicalities of undertaking a systematic review. Students on the 12
month course will be expected to complete (or make substantial progress)
on a systematic review of their choice during the couse.
COURSE CONTENT
The course content will include the framing and formulation of research
questions, protocol development, literature searching, basic research
methodology, critical appraisal of studies, data synthesis, reporting,
interpretation and project management. Training will be given in relevant
software packages.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Applications will be welcome from health care professionals and researchers
who have a yearning to learn more about systematic reviews and a desire to
undertake one. Those most likely to be selected will have a good
basic knowledge of the science of medical research, including an awareness
of the skills and practice of evidence-based health care, basic statistical
skills, and a moderate degree of computer literacy. Places are limited
to 12 applicants for the 12 month course, 16 applicants for the 3 month
course.
The 12 month course is most suitable for applicants planning a
systematic review which they will undertake during 1999. All applicants
must have an idea of a research question which could be answered by
undertaking a systematic review, or already be working on such a review.
The 3 month course is more suitable for applicants needing a quicker
introduction to systematic reviews. Whilst the same core material is
covered in both courses, little time is available during the 3 month course
to discuss individual student's reviews.
TEACHING STAFF
Teaching will be led by Jon Deeks (Head, Systematic Review Development
Programme) and Doug Altman (Director, Centre for Statistics in Medicine).
Additional faculty will be drawn from the Centre for Evidence-based
Medicine, the Cairns Library, the Cochrane Collaboration and other research
units undertaking systematic reviews in the Oxford area.
COURSE STRUCTURE- 12 day course
The training will be over 12 days, approximately one per month. The course
based around the NHS CRD Guidelines for Undertaking Systematic Reviews.
Teaching will be by a mixture of didactic, interactive and practical
sessions. Students will be required to undertake directed pre-session
reading. There will be a certain amount of dedicated time in each session
for the group to discuss issues directly arising from individuals’ review
work pertinent to the topic of the day. In addition, students will be able to
obtain 1 day of personal faculty advice for their review.
The course will be taught at the University of Oxford's Institute of Health
Sciences, which is located in Headington, East Oxford.
The teaching sessions will be held on Wednesdays.
*****Applications must be submitted by 30th October 1998*****
The fee for the course is 1300 pounds sterling for applicants from
non-profit making institutions and 2600 pounds sterling for those
from profit making institutions. This includes all materials
and lunches. Application forms are available from Rochelle Seifas
([log in to unmask]) or from the following web-page:
http://www.ihs.ox.ac.uk/csm/appform.html
COURSE STRUCTURE- 7.5 day course
The training will be over 7.5 days organised in three blocks, one per month.
The course is based around the NHS CRD Guidelines for Undertaking
Systematic Reviews. Teaching will be by a mixture of didactic, interactive
and practical sessions. Students will be required to undertake directed
pre-session reading.
The course will be taught at the University of Oxford's Department of
Continuing Professional Development, Rewley House, situated in the centre
of Oxford. The course dates are as follows:
March 11th-12th (Weds-Thurs)
April 7th-9th (Weds-Fri)
May 17th-19th (Mon- Weds
Applications must be submitted by 18th December 1998.
The fee for the course is 750 pounds sterling for applicants from non-profit
making institutions and 1450 pounds from those from profit making
institutions. This includes all materials and lunches. Application
forms are available from Rochelle Seifas ([log in to unmask]) or from the
following web-page:
http://www.ihs.ox.ac.uk/csm/aappform.html
FURTHER INFORMATION and APPLICATION FORM
Please contact Rochelle Seifas at the Systematic Review Development
Programme (tel 01865 226615, e-mail [log in to unmask]) or visit our
webpages
http://www.ihs.ox.ac.uk/csm/srdphome.html
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