Training and Webinars

Since late 2019, the research community has responded with speed in an effort to contribute to the
evidence base for health care and policy decisions relating to COVID-19. This sense of urgency and the
need for immediate evidence brings methodological challenges to all research endeavors.
In this webinar Catherine and Linda will describe their very recent experience of undertaking a Rapid
Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) during, and in response to, the COVID-19 pandemic. The review
featured among the initial suite of Cochrane COVID rapid reviews as Cochrane’s first rapid QES. A
summary of the review process, its key findings, and dissemination will be provided. In addition, the
presenters will use a reflexive approach to talk about the importance of the team and the methodological
decisions made during the process. They will explore some of the challenges in finding the balance
between the need for speed while maintaining rigour and transparency in their work.

Catherine is a senior lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland
Galway. Catherine’s research interests are primarily around qualitative research methodologies,
qualitative evidence synthesis and the integration of qualitative research in trials. Catherine is co-chair of
QUESTS, qualitative research in trials centre and a qualitative evidence synthesis trainer for Evidence
Synthesis Ireland. She has led and co-authored a number of qualitative syntheses including the recently
published Cochrane rapid review in response to COVID-19.

Linda is a lecturer at NUI Galway. A midwife and qualitative researcher by training, Linda’s research
focus largely in the fields of maternity care and knowledge translation. Her methodological areas of
expertise are in evidence synthesis (qualitative and quantitative), qualitative research in trial
methodology and in core outcome set development. She is the co-lead of the Qualitative Synthesis stream
within ESI and as a Faculty Member of ESI provides training for QES and Cochrane systematic reviews.

Date & Time: 12pm, Thursday 18th June, 2020.
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QPnKlyKpTo60zDHiaoUnXQ

Webinar on Rapid Reviews.

Presenter: Dr. Andrea C. Tricco, Director & Scientist, Knowledge Synthesis Team, Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto

The learning objectives of this webinar are:

1. To define rapid reviews
2. To differentiate between rapid review and systematic reviews
3. To identify “how to” conduct rapid reviews
4. To establish how to tailor rapid review methods according to decision-makers information needs

Dr. Andrea C. Tricco is a Scientist and Director of the Knowledge Synthesis Team in the Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health & Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation. She is also a Co-Director & Adjunct Associate Professor for the Queen’s Collaboration for Health Care Quality Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence at Queen’s University. Her research program focuses on advancing the science of knowledge synthesis and responding to information needs of decision-makers.

Time and Date:
Thursday July 23rd, 2020.
BST (Irish Time): 2pm.
EST: 9am

Click here to register for this webinar.

This workshop provides authors, at the beginning of the Cochrane systematic review process, with an in-depth understanding of how Cochrane reviews are structured. It offers an insight to the development of a Cochrane protocol, introducing participants to Cochrane methodology, search methods, data extraction and meta-analysis. This workshop also includes an introduction to RevMan software and its use during protocol development.

Skill level: Introductory

Target Audience: Healthcare professionals, academics, researchers, decision-makers and Evidence Synthesis Ireland fellows who have identified a review topic and are ready to begin working on their protocol.

Prerequisites: Have a basic knowledge of health research. Are interested in learning more on the methodology of a review. Participants are requested to install the RevMan software and bring their laptop to the workshop.

Please note: If ESI cancels an event, participants will be refunded at 100%. If the event is rescheduled, registrants will have the opportunity to have 100% of their registration fee applied to the rescheduled event, or receive a full refund. Upon request by email, refunds for event withdrawal will be fully refunded. We advise during this time of uncertainty, to take out appropriate insurance for hotels / other travel or make refundable bookings.