What do we do if different studies appear to give different answers? When applying research to questions for individual patients or for health policy, one of the challenges is interpreting such apparently conflicting research. A systematic review is a method to systematically identify relevant research, appraise its quality, and synthesize the results. The last two decades have seen increasing interest and developments in methods for doing high quality systematic reviews. Part I of this book provides a clear introduction to the concepts of reviewing, and lucidly describes the difficulties and traps to avoid. A unique feature of the book is its description, in Part II, of the different methods needed for different types of health care questions: frequency of disease, prognosis, diagnosis, risk, and management. As well as illustrative examples, there are exercises for each of the sections. This is essential reading for those interested in synthesizing health care research.

‘… the book serves as an excellently readable introduction to the whole subject of literature reviewing … Systematic Reviews in Health Care provides a readable, concise description of the methodologies, limitations and strengths of systematic reviews without excessive detail but greater depth than standard How to do EBM texts.’

Source: Doctors.net

‘… a very practical book for those interested in undertaking a systematic review in health case, more orientated towards health care professionals, but is a useful introduction to the subject for statisticians.’

Source: Statistical Methods in Medical Research