Evidence-Based Reviews and Synthesis

Advances in Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) have not only changed the way researchers assess the risks, benefits and effectiveness of technologies, but have also changed the way funding and reimbursement decisions are made. These techniques focus on the identification, evaluation and summary of the available evidence around a disease, treatment or technology.

Since EBM originated from McMaster University, PATH has naturally emerged as a leader internationally in both the methods and application of evidence-based literature reviews and synthesis methods.  We have in-house information specialists who have extensive experience in finding clinical and economic evidence from literature databases, from published sources, from HTA organizations and from non-traditional sources (‘grey’ literature). A number of PATH researchers have considerable experience in screening evidence, in grading evidence using the latest criteria and tools, in critical appraisal and in retrieving pertinent information from available sources. Our epidemiologists and biostatisticians are leaders in both quantitative and qualitative methods of data synthesis, including meta-analysis, qualitative appraisal and indirect comparison methods that are critical when there is a lack of head-to-head evidence surrounding a technology.   

PATH has an impressive publication record based on evidence-based reviews and synthesis, whether they be free-standing reviews or as part of a larger HTA. PATH’s team of information specialists and statisticians can either conduct these reviews and analyses in-house or can provide support and consultation services.