A challenge for any research program is to ensure consistent use of the most current
scientific methods, especially in a rapidly evolving field. Systematic review is a
field that is moving into maturity from its adolescence. This issue of the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology includes 5 papers that nearly complete version 1.0 of the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality (AHRQ) Effective Health Care Program Methods Guide for Comparative Effectiveness
Reviews (Methods Guide). The Methods Guide is a collaborative effort among participating
scientists at the 14 Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) and AHRQ to identify the
best methods for conducting systematic reviews on comparative effectiveness of interventions.
The AHRQ-funded EPC Program was established in 1997. These articles address areas
of unnecessary variation, uncertainty, and areas of controversy raised by peer or
public review of early Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. The best approaches were
guided by a combination of non-systematic review of empiric research and EPC experience
and best practices in performing complex systematic reviews of comparative interventions.
This methods guidance is intended to help advance the science and practice of systematic
reviews, especially within the AHRQ EPC program.
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References
- AHRQ series editorial: public involvement improves methods development in comparative effectiveness reviews.J Clin Epidemiol. 2010; 63: 471-473
- AHRQ series paper 1: comparing medical interventions: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program.J Clin Epidemiol. 2010; 63: 481-483
- AHRQ series paper 2: principles for developing guidance: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program.J Clin Epidemiol. 2010; 63: 484-490
- AHRQ series paper 3: identifying, selecting, and refining topics for comparative effectiveness systematic reviews: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program.J Clin Epidemiol. 2010; 63: 491-501
- AHRQ series paper 4: assessing harms when comparing medical interventions: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program.J Clin Epidemiol. 2010; 63: 502-512
- AHRQ series paper 5: grading the strength of a body of evidence when comparing medical interventions: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program.J Clin Epidemiol. 2010; 63: 513-523
- Finding evidence for comparing medical interventions: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care program.J Clin Oncol. 2011; 64: 1168-1177
- Observational studies should be considered for inclusion in reviews of comparative effectiveness.J Clin Oncol. 2011; 64: 1178-1186
Atkins D, Chang S, Gartlehner G, Buckley DI, Whitlock EP, Berliner E, et al. Assessing applicability when comparing medical interventions: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program. 2011;64:1198–207.
- Conducting quantitative synthesis when comparing medical interventions: AHRQ and the effective health care program.J Clin Oncol. 2011; 64: 1187-1197
Tsertsvadze A, Maglione M, Chou R, Garritty C, Coleman C, Lux L, et al. Current efforts for updating comparative effectiveness reviews: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program. J Clin Oncol 011;64:1208–15.
- Finding what works in health care: standards for systematic reviews.The National Academies Press, Washington, DC2011
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 19,
2011
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
