Systematic Review Workshop Inspires Local Student

When Lynn Teo, L.Ac, a Master’s candidate in Pain Research, Education and Policy at Tufts University School of Medicine, heard about Samueli Institute’s “Introduction to Systematic Review Workshop” held last December, the self-proclaimed nerd decided there was no better time to “go for it” and learn the right way to do this type of research. She had been dabbling in doing database searches on her own while working on her Master’s capstone project but knew these were skills she needed to hone.

The workshop, offered twice a year at Samueli Institute’s Alexandria, Va. offices, teaches participants the introductory concepts of conducting systematic reviews, assessment of the quality of studies, and the management of bias. Workshop participants also receive a comprehensive workbook which includes instructions and guidelines on how to conduct specific types of systematic reviews. Participants are asked to bring a proposed review project with them and are provided the opportunity to work on their review through several hands-on exercises while receiving individual mentorship.

“The exponential increase in the amount of published scientific information in health research has produced a compelling need for patients, clinicians, policy makers and corporate leaders to stay abreast of and synthesize this material,” says Wayne Jonas, MD, president and CEO of Samueli Institute.

A systematic review of the literature is the gold-standard approach for integrating evidence-based information into health care delivery. It requires a specific and precise methodology, which is not always taught in educational institutions or applied to practice.

“Lack of this knowledge contributes to the gap in translating evidence into practice,” says Jonas, “Which prompted Samueli Institute to develop this curriculum and workshop.”

As for Teo, she was able to successfully complete her own systematic review titled “Can Healthcare Practitioner Empathy Training Improve Patient Outcomes & Satisfaction? A Pilot Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature” and present it to her academic advisors. What she valued most about the workshop was how she was led step-by-step through the process – from formulating the questions to actually working on sample searches during the course of the session. She left feeling confident and well-educated in conducting these on her own in her practice – both clinical and academic.