EBP1003

Systematic review of the evidence for diagnostic test accuracy ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Ms Denise O'Connor and Mr Simon French

Offered:
Not offered in 2006.

Synopsis: This unit will build on previous knowledge and skills obtained in the GradCertEBP and guide students through the process of writing a protocol for a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy. The protocol of a systematic review will be based upon the methodology developed by the Cochrane Collaboration, which may be eligible for submission to a Cochrane Review Group for publication at the end of the course. Much of the content of this unit is adapted from the Reviewer training material written by the Cochrane Collaboration.

Objectives: On completion of this unit, each participant will: 1. Understand the need for, and principles of, systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy. 2. Define clinical questions appropriate for addressing with a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy. 3. Apply skills in searching the scientific literature for relevant high quality studies of diagnostic test accuracy. 4. Formulate appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria for selecting appropriate studies. 5. Describe the criteria likely to influence study quality and apply this criteria to critically appraise studies of diagnostic test accuracy. 6. Demonstrate an understanding of the statistical methods used to summarise and combine the results of studies of diagnostic test accuracy. 7. Demonstrate competence in interpreting systematic reviews of the evidence for diagnostic test accuracy.

Assessment: Assignment 1: Formulate a question for systematic review (10%), Assignment 2: Develop a search strategy (20%), Assignment 3: Define inclusion and exclusion criteria (10%), Assignment 4: Design a data extraction form (10%), Assignment 5: Appraise the quality of studies (25%), Assignment 6: Develop a plan for data analysis (25%).

Prerequisites: EBP1002 and EPB1000