Why a course on systematic review on TB?
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Academic personnel involved in tuberculosis (TB) research need to have appropriate knowledge and skills on how to undertake systematic reviews, which may:
- Inform the need for any planned research project
- Inform the appropriate methods for planned research听
- Inform practise guidelines (such as for WHO)听
This e-Learning course on systematic reviews for TB was developed for persons with different levels of experience in systematic reviews.听
The learning package consists of 10 modules. This includes lectures, downloadable presentations, self-assessment exams, and other resources to assist in the conduct of systematic reviews.听
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Target audience:听
- Academic personnel involved in TB research听
- Evidence reviewers involved in the formulation of guidelines on TB.
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Course objectives:
- To review the principles and uses of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Describe the key steps in carrying out a systematic review: PICO question, inclusion and exclusion criteria, search strategies, study selection, data extraction, quality assessment and meta-analysis, communicating findings
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Course Modules
This online course contains 10 total modules which must be taken in order.听
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General Guidelines
After completing all 10 modules, students must download the final assessment, complete it, and submit it to mcgilltbcentre [at] gmail.com. We will then evaluate the assessment and inform you of your final grade. Students who achieve a score of 80% or higher will receive a certificate of completion, along with the answer key.
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Module 1: Introduction
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Information about course outline, grading criteria, and basic definitions.
Access to the Power Point presentation听
Module 1 -Introduction
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Module 2: Developing a PICO
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module focuses on developing a well-formulated research question, elements of a PICO/PECO question, and how to develop the best research question for your topic.听
Access to the Power Point presentation Module 2 -Developing a PICO
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Module 3: Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module focuses on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and how they impact your search, explore different sources and databases, the role of Grey Literature, and the use of PICO question to develop inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Access the presentation Module 3 - Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
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Module 4: Development, Translation, and Execution of Search Strategies
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module focuses on the steps of conducting a search for a systematic review, transform your PICO question into a search strategy, translating your research from one database to another, hands-on activity of running a search in PubMed, and more.
Access the Power Point presentation Module 4 -Search Strategies
Supplemental materials:
- Module 4 -听
Excercise 2 
Concept Grid for constructing search strategies- Database Shortcuts
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Module 5: Study Selection
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module reviews the different steps in the study selection process, the importance of study selection, and reasons to exclude studies.
Access the Power Point presentation Module 5 - Study Selection
Supplemental materials:
- Module 5听- Exercise 1
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Module 6: Meta Analysis -Overview and Statistical Foundations of Meta Analysis
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module focuses on understanding the heterogeneity within systematic reviews, and general understanding of statistical foundations of meta-analysis.
Access the听Power Point presentation Module 6 -Meta Analysis
Supplemental materials:
- Module 6 - Exercise with the code
- Module 6 -
Exercise data Excel听file
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Module 7: Special Meta-Analyses - Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis and Network Meta Analysis听
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module addresses the potential downsides of aggregate level meta-analysis, introduction to other forms of meta-analysis, basi methods of Network meta-analysis (NMA), and more.
Access the Power Point presentation Module 7 -Special Meta Analyses
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Module 8: Quality Assesment and Risk of Bias
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module听
Access the Power Point presentation Module 8 -Quality Assesment and Risk of Bias
Supplemental materials:
- Module 8 - Article: Impact of Xpert MTB/RIF on Antiretroviral Therapy-Associated Tuberculosis and Mortality: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial
- Module 8 - Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool
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Module 9: Publishing a Systematic Review
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Please do not take this module without having done the previous ones!
This module reviews PRISMA guidelines for reporting a systematic review, strategies for planning ahead for publication, how to interpret results, and more.
听Access the Power Point presentation Module 9 -Publishing a Systematic Review
Supplemental materials:
- Module 9 - PRISMA checklist PRISM checklist solutions
- Module 9 -听 Haraka et al., 2021 Systematic Review and听 Haraka et al., 2021 Systematic Review Solutions
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Module 10: Conclusion and Final Assessment
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This module revises the principles, uses, and abuses of systematic reviews, and meta-analysis. Describes the key steps in carrying out a systematic review for a TB-related topic, and describes the key elements of all previous modules.
Access the Power Point presentation Module 10 -Conclusion
General guidelines reminder:听After completing all 10 modules, students must download the final assessment, complete it, and submit it to听mcgilltbcentre [at] gmail.com. We will then evaluate the assessment and inform you of your final grade. Students who achieve a score of 80% or higher will receive a certificate of completion, along with the answer key.
Systematic Review - All References SR Course
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