Systematic Reviews

Understanding Epidemiology: The Core of Public Health What is Epidemiology? Epidemiology is the cornerstone of public health practice and research. Epidemiology is widely recognized as the cornerstone and structural foundation of public health practice and clinical research. It is defined as the systematic, data-driven study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events within specified human populations. Rather than treating individual patients on a case-by-case basis, epidemiology views the entire community as its collective patient. By rigorously analyzing statistical data, tracking disease frequency, and identifying risk patterns, epidemiologists uncover the vital evidence required to shape global health policies, design preventative strategies, and manage ongoing healthcare crises before they reach a point of no return. Epidemic vs. Pandemic: Knowing the Difference In public health, clear definitions are crucial for effective communication and resourc...

The EBM Evidence Hierarchy: Which Medical Studies Can You Actually Trust? Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) requires medical research to underpin clinical practice and policy. A survival guide is needed for decoding medical research. There is a need for a rule-of-thumb to classify research as either evidentiary or non-evidentiary, i.e., an evidence ladder. This is based on study design and ranks the most valid or bias-free designs highest. Randomized trials rank higher than cohort studies, which in turn rank higher than case-control studies. Case reports, expert opinions and consensus are not considered evidentiary. This vlog explains how precision is added to validity in refining the evidence hierarchy.

Medical Jargon BUSTED: The Ultimate Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Glossary. Ever wondered why research takes years to reach medical practice? There isn't a hidden path from medical research to patient care if you break it down into steps, bridging the research-practice gap. You can then begin to understand why medical research often goes unused, and it is difficult to transform research into better patient care. Feeling lost in a sea of complex medical terms whenever you try to understand health research or your doctor's advice? This video breaks down the essential vocabulary of evidence-based medicine, empowering you with the clarity as to what it means for informed health decisions. Alternative terms such as knowledge transfer of KT, EBP, EBHC, Research translation, etc. are compared and contrasted. Glossary of Terms for Healthcare Research is a project based on terms defined in Professor Khalid Khan's books. 3rd Edition of Professor Khalid Khan's award-winning ...

Science-based Fitness and Nutrition has been blown but 100s of retracted articles. Sports Science and weight loss research misconduct and fraud are prevalent in top institutions and journals. Where can the public, trainers and nutritionists turn to?

Evidence synthesis of randomised clinical trials (2 of 2): This is the 2nd part of a two-part lecture delivered on ”Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials” in the OIC University of Uganda on 21 March 2023 by Professor Khalid Khan, COMSTECH Distinguished Scholar, and Beatriz Galindo Distinguished Investigator, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.

Evidence synthesis of randomised clinical trials (1 of 2): This is the 1st part of a two-part lecture delivered on ”Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials” in the OIC University of Uganda on 21 March 2023 by Professor Khalid Khan, COMSTECH Distinguished Scholar, and Beatriz Galindo Distinguished Investigator, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.

Elder abuse, a critical human rights concern and public health issue, has been extensively studied in recent years. Various reviews have consolidated primary research to assess its prevalence. This vlog presents an umbrella review highlighting the significantly high estimated global prevalence rate of elder abuse in both community and care settings. Despite challenges like evidence quality and variability, it is undeniable that elder abuse is pervasive with a broad impact. The emphasis should now turn towards implementing interventions and policies to combat this type of abuse.

The integrity of research, especially in clinical trials, is crucial for the development of medications and treatments. Behind each breakthrough lie the contributions of countless patients who selflessly participate in these trials. Despite the current emphasis on COVID-19, there have been instances of research articles being retracted. While some retractions stem from unintentional errors or technical flaws rather than deliberate deceit, maintaining honesty throughout the research process is paramount. It is essential to recognize that the value of clinical trials heavily depends on the integrity of the data they generate. Surprisingly, many medical training programs do not adequately address the importance of clinical trial integrity. Moreover, numerous countries face challenges due to insufficient medical infrastructure and expertise in conducting trials. To enhance the credibility of clinical trials, transparency must be upheld at every research phase, starting from pre-registratio...

In health and medical sciences, with developments in computing, there is a rapid growth in data both in form of “Big” registries and published papers. Both offer opportunities to perform statistically powerful analyses, but each has its inherent challenges. Large datasets, in theory, offer consistent data, an assumption that ought to be tested concerning data quality in each project. Published studies that assess the same outcome but in different scenarios introduce the problem of variability in the results obtained by different researchers. A systematic review scientifically collates and investigates the literature to objectively summarize the evidence related to the research topic, using meta-analysis to statistically synthesize the results of individual studies where appropriate. These reviews can be used to underpin guidelines and recommendations. Evidence synthesis is also the essential ingredient for evidence-based medicine . Big Data, Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews: The Ju...

This webinar by Professor Khalid Khan gives an overview of how to prepare tables and figures as part of data synthesis in a review. It also shows how to undertake meta-analysis. It is the seventh in an 8-part series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". Professor Khalid Khan is one of the 2% of the most influential researchers internationally. For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/

This webinar by Professor Khalid Khan gives an overview of how to judiciously and objectively interpret the evidence synthesised in a review. It is the final part of an 8-part series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". Professor Khalid Khan is one of the 2% of the most influential researchers internationally. For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/

This webinar by Professor Khalid Khan gives an overview of how to undertake study quality assessment for internal validity. It is the sixth in a series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/

This webinar by Professor Khalid Khan gives an overview of how to evaluate if there are any studies missing in the search. It is the fifth in a series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/

This webinar gives an overview of how to search the literature, select relevant studies and present this information in a manuscript of a systematic review It is the fourth in a series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/

This webinar gives an overview of how to evaluate the study design component of a structured question. It gives advice on writing titles for articles describing systematic reviews. It is the third in a series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/

This webinar by Professor Khalid Khan gives an overview of how to frame a structured and answerable question. It is the second in a series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/

This webinar by Professor Khalid Khan gives an overview of the place systematic reviews have in research translation from bench to health impact. It is the first in a series of webinars given in the Slovenia doctoral training programme. Professor Khalid Khan is an author of the award-winning book titled "Systematic reviews to promote evidence-based medicine". For training, consulting and publication advice in research checkout URL: https://professorkhalidkhan.com/training-and-speaking/