Introduction to Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Course Overview

This course introduces participants to the methods of performing systematic reviews and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Participants will learn how to formulate an answerable research question, define inclusion and exclusion criteria, search for the evidence, extract data, assess the risk of bias in clinical trials, and perform a meta-analysis. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to: - Describe the steps in conducting a systematic review - Develop an answerable question using the “Participants Interventions Comparisons Outcomes” (PICO) framework - Describe the process used to collect and extract data from reports of clinical trials - Describe methods to critically assess the risk of bias of clinical trials - Describe and interpret the results of meta-analyses. This course is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials.

[Applications]
Upon successfully completing this course, participants can apply the knowledge and skills acquired to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials. They can use the PICO framework to develop answerable research questions, search for evidence, extract data, assess the risk of bias in clinical trials, and perform a meta-analysis. Participants can also use the knowledge and skills acquired to interpret the results of meta-analyses.

[Career Paths]
1. Clinical Research Coordinator: Clinical research coordinators are responsible for managing and coordinating clinical trials. They are responsible for ensuring that the trials are conducted in accordance with the protocol and applicable regulations. They also ensure that the data collected is accurate and complete. Clinical research coordinators must have excellent organizational and communication skills, as well as a strong understanding of clinical research protocols and regulations. The demand for clinical research coordinators is expected to grow as the number of clinical trials increases.

2. Clinical Data Analyst: Clinical data analysts are responsible for analyzing and interpreting clinical data. They use statistical methods to identify trends and patterns in the data, and develop reports and presentations to communicate their findings. Clinical data analysts must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as a strong understanding of statistical methods and software. The demand for clinical data analysts is expected to grow as the amount of data generated by clinical trials increases.

3. Clinical Trial Manager: Clinical trial managers are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of clinical trials. They are responsible for ensuring that the trials are conducted in accordance with the protocol and applicable regulations. They also ensure that the data collected is accurate and complete. Clinical trial managers must have excellent organizational and communication skills, as well as a strong understanding of clinical research protocols and regulations. The demand for clinical trial managers is expected to grow as the number of clinical trials increases.

4. Medical Writer: Medical writers are responsible for writing and editing documents related to clinical trials. They are responsible for ensuring that the documents are accurate, clear, and compliant with applicable regulations. Medical writers must have excellent writing and editing skills, as well as a strong understanding of clinical research protocols and regulations. The demand for medical writers is expected to grow as the number of clinical trials increases.

[Education Paths]
1. Master of Science in Clinical Research: This degree program focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical research studies. It provides students with the skills and knowledge to develop and conduct clinical trials, analyze data, and interpret results. Students will also learn about the ethical and regulatory aspects of clinical research. This degree is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in clinical research or in the pharmaceutical industry.

2. Master of Science in Biostatistics: This degree program focuses on the application of statistical methods to the analysis of biological data. Students will learn about the design and analysis of clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and other research studies. They will also learn about the ethical and regulatory aspects of biostatistical research. This degree is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in biostatistics or in the pharmaceutical industry.

3. Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services Research: This degree program focuses on the study of health care delivery systems, health care policy, and health care outcomes. Students will learn about the design and analysis of health services research studies, as well as the ethical and regulatory aspects of health services research. This degree is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in health services research or in the health care industry.

4. Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology: This degree program focuses on the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations. Students will learn about the design and analysis of epidemiological studies, as well as the ethical and regulatory aspects of epidemiological research. This degree is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in epidemiology or in the public health field.