Lesson series

24 Steps to Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses often provide better evidence than individual studies for the assessment of risks and the desired and undesired effects of clinical and public health interventions. In this course, you will learn to understand the methodological foundations of systematic reviews and meta-analyses and the 24 steps to conduct your own systematic review and meta-analysis.
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  • 42 reading materials

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      Aims

    • Describe the importance and implications of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in clinical care and public health
    • Learn to use the most important sources for reviews relevant to clinical care and public health
    • To develop a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
    • To conduct a meta-analysis
    • To critically assess the quality of reviews
    • To go from evidence to recommendations
    • To successfully publish your meta-analysis

      Content

    • Advantages and disadvantages of different study designs
    • Advantages and disadvantages of conventional (narrative) and systematic reviews
    • Principles and procedures in meta-analysis, introduction to statistical models
    • Limitations: insufficient quality of the studies, publication bias, heterogeneity
    • Critical assessment of the quality of published reviews and meta-analyses
    • Evaluation and application of the results

      Methods

    The introduction to the topic takes place via online video lectures, literature reading, practical exercises and tests. In individual work, various steps in the creation of systematic reviews are carried out using concrete case studies. At the end of each section, a test is provided to assess your knowledge.

      Target audience

    Healthcare and public health professionals, as well as social scientists professionals with an interest in the topic.

    Meet our lecturers

    Researched in best universities (Erasmus, Bern, Harvard, Cambridge, Stanford)
    +200 publications in in leading journals (JAMA, BMJ, JACC)
    Developed and co-authored on of the most downloaded meta-analysis guidelines
    Listed among top 2% most influential scientists in the 2023 Stanford University and Elsevier ranking

    Yassir Adam Shuaib

    I wanted to express my enthusiasm for the upcoming online version of the 24-step meta-analysis course at the University of Bern, which will be available through www.epistudia.com.Having previously attended the course in person, I found it to be an immensely valuable learning experience. Given its availability online, I'm keen to explore the opportunity to take the course again in this format.Could you kindly provide information regarding the course's availability online and any associated costs? I would greatly appreciate it.Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to your response.

    Jörn Klein

    I had the opportunity to complete a five-day intensive meta-analysis course at the University of Bern. This course provided a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted process of conducting a meta-analysis, from the formulation of research questions to the stages of publication. The meticulously structured course allowed for an in-depth understanding of each of the 24 steps, sequentially highlighting every detail that ensures a well-conducted meta-analysis. The course, in subsequent days, delved into the practicalities of data collection, extraction, and the essential task of evaluating study quality and bias. I found the segment discussing fixed effect and random effect models useful, though somewhat repetitively programmed on the fourth day. The final day of the course encapsulated the exploration of heterogeneity and publication bias, concluding with a discussion on the quality of evidence and the steps towards publication. This progression culminated in a well-rounded understanding of the complete process of meta-analysis. While the course was undoubtedly enriching, I found a need for more diversity in practical examples and case studies. This would have facilitated a more profound comprehension of the complexities involved in real-world scenarios. Nevertheless, the instructors were profoundly knowledgeable and provided a conducive learning environment, fostering intellectual curiosity and rigorous academic thought. In conclusion, the 24-steps meta-analysis course at the University of Bern is an excellent academic pursuit for those interested in rigorous research methodologies. I highly recommend it to fellow scholars and researchers aspiring to elevate their understanding and skills in the realm of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

    Noushin Sadat

    Attending the 24-steps meta-analysis course at the University of Bern was a great experience. The course was well-structured and covered both introductory and advanced concepts in meta-analysis. I appreciated that it catered to participants with varying levels of experience, making it accessible for beginners while still offering valuable insights for those already familiar with meta-analysis. The use of different lecturers added variety and kept the sessions engaging throughout. Overall, it was an exciting and informative course that I highly recommend to anyone interested in evidence synthesis and epidemiology.

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