Abstract
Objectives
We provide guidance for considering equity in rapid reviews through examples of published
COVID-19 rapid reviews.
Study Design and Setting
This guidance was developed based on a series of methodological meetings, review of
internationally renowned guidance such as the Cochrane Handbook and the Preferred
Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for equity-focused systematic
reviews (PRISMA-Equity) guideline. We identified Exemplar rapid reviews by searching
COVID-19 databases and requesting examples from our team.
Results
We proposed the following key steps: 1. involve relevant stakeholders with lived experience
in the conduct and design of the review; 2. reflect on equity, inclusion and privilege
in team values and composition; 3. develop research question to assess health inequities;
4. conduct searches in relevant disciplinary databases; 5. collect data and critically
appraise recruitment, retention and attrition for populations experiencing inequities;
6. analyse evidence on equity; 7. evaluate the applicability of findings to populations
experiencing inequities; and 8. adhere to reporting guidelines for communicating review
findings. We illustrated these methods through rapid review examples.
Conclusion
Implementing this guidance could contribute to improving equity considerations in
rapid reviews produced in public health emergencies, and help policymakers better
understand the distributional impact of diseases on the population.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 18, 2022
Accepted:
July 12,
2022
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: Andrea Tricco currently holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Synthesis. Sharon Straus currently holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation and Quality of care. Authors hold sole responsibility for the views expressed in the manuscript, which may not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of the Pan American Health Organization. The remaining authors have nothing to declare.
Funding: COVID-END is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health, Canada, the UK National Institute of Health Research, Evidence Synthesis Program, and individual donors through the Center for Effective Altruis, and Fidelity Charitable, U.S.A and individual private donors.
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