Cited by 260Meta-analysis and systematic reviewsClinical practice guidelines implementationDelphi Technique in Research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 57 of the 57 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 2 of the 51 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Updated recommendations for the Cochrane rapid review methods guidance for rapid reviews of effectiveness

Open access

Abstract

This article provides updated guidance on methods for conducting rapid reviews of effectiveness, targeted at Cochrane and other stakeholders interested in the methodology of rapid reviews. The guidance, developed by the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group, builds upon previous interim guidance, and incorporates changes based on an evaluation of its application, a scope of the literature on rapid review methodology, and input from a diverse group of experts in rapid review methods. The guidance consists of 24 specific recommendations supporting the conduct of rapid reviews, applicable both within and outside Cochrane. It underscores the importance of considering the appropriateness of undertaking rapid reviews and advocates for a tailored, iterative approach to each review. Key defining features of rapid reviews, such as restricted methods, how the dimension of timelines factors into rapid reviews, and the involvement of knowledge users (eg, patient and public partners, healthcare providers, policy makers), are outlined. The paper presents a definition of a Cochrane rapid review and additional considerations for rapid reviews of effectiveness to enhance the efficiency of the review process. In conclusion, the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group’s updated guidance, complemented by examples, seeks to guide methodological decisions in the design and conduct of rapid reviews, facilitating timely decision making in healthcare.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This article presents updated Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group guidance for rapid reviews of effectiveness, comprising 24 recommendations and a refined definition. It emphasizes tailored, iterative use of restricted methods, knowledge-user involvement, and transparency about limitations.

Key findings

  • The updated guidance contains 24 recommendations, replacing the interim guidance’s 26 recommendations, and states that Cochrane rapid reviews should take no longer than six months.
  • An evaluation of the interim guidance analyzed 128 rapid reviews (17 Cochrane and 111 non-Cochrane) and 20 in-depth qualitative interviews; many authors did not follow certain recommendations (e.g., stepwise study inclusion, peer review of search strategies), while some recommendations (e.g., dual independent abstract/full-text screening) were exceeded.
  • A literature scan screened 841 citations and assessed 87 articles; none met the original eligibility criteria, but five studies provided further insights for search recommendations.
  • Key defining features are restricted methods, the dimension of time (not the sole defining feature), and knowledge user involvement; recommendations include using at least two bibliographic databases, PRESS peer review, pilot screening, dual screening of at least 20% of records with κ ≥0.8 before proceeding to single screening, one data extractor plus verification, and GRADE if time and resources allow.

Methods

  • The update builds on the interim Cochrane guidance, a formal evaluation of its real-world use (text analysis of 128 rapid reviews and 20 qualitative interviews), a literature scan from February 2019 to August 2022, and input from a broader expert collaborative including a patient and public partner.
  • The literature scan used PubMed similar-articles features and keyword searches; 841 citations were screened, 87 articles assessed, and five studies informed search recommendations.
  • Guidance development was led by the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group, with rationales and examples provided in supplementary files.

Limitations

  • Paper states the guidance was developed within Cochrane and focuses on rapid reviews of effectiveness of health interventions; it has not been adapted to other question types (e.g., diagnostic test accuracy, screening, or rapid qualitative evidence synthesis).
  • Paper states not all stages had corresponding evidence to inform the updated recommendations; many recommendations are based on expert opinion, and best practice is limited by the lack of currently available evidence for some shortcuts.
  • Evident from the text: the evaluation found common non-adherence due to time constraints, unclear recommended approaches, or inapplicability, and the guidance was perceived as challenging to apply without experience conducting systematic reviews; the paper also notes the 20% dual-screening suggestion is based on experience and is not evidence based.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1136/bmj-2023-076335

Cites

57 of 57 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

32 Not checked yet · 21 Own interpretation · 12 No basis given · 3 Own method · 1 Supported so far · accuracy not yet measured

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Show all 15 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 23
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 45
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  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The evaluation's findings are representative of the broader community of rapid review authors and reviews.

    “This evaluation included the text analysis of 128 rapid reviews (17 Cochrane and 111 non-Cochrane) and 20 in-depth qualitative interviews.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The literature scan using PubMed similar articles and a keyword search identified the relevant methodological literature published since the initial scoping review.

    “To identify potentially relevant studies, we used the option for similar articles in PubMed for every article included in the initial scoping review.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    CENTRAL is a highly concentrated source of reports of randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials.

    “This is a highly concentrated source of reports of randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No minimum set of data extraction items exists for study characteristics and outcome data.

    “No minimum set of data extraction items exists for study characteristics and outcome data.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Extracting data directly from a systematic review requires that the review report its included data well.

    “However, extracting data directly from a systematic review requires good reporting of the data included in the review.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Risk of bias assessment informs the interpretation of results.

    “We discourage omitting the risk of bias assessment entirely, as it informs the interpretation of the results.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    RoB 1 assessments are generally quicker and require fewer resources than RoB 2 assessments at the outcome level.

    “RoB 1 assessments are generally quicker and require fewer resources than RoB 2 assessments at the outcome level.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The required detail and granularity of risk of bias assessment may vary across rapid reviews depending on intervention complexity, outcome type, and available data.

    “However, different rapid reviews may require different levels of detail and granularity in the risk of bias assessment that may depend on the specific characteristics of the review, such as the complexity of the interventions, type of outcomes, and available data.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Allowing either RoB 1 or RoB 2 ensures efficient use of resources while maintaining review quality.

    “Allowing either approach ensures an efficient use of available resources while maintaining the quality of the review.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A descriptive summary of included studies at the outset of synthesis helps confirm whether studies are similar and reliable enough to synthesise and whether pooling is possible.

    “Providing a descriptive summary of the included studies at the outset of the synthesis stage helps to confirm if the studies are similar and reliable enough to synthesise and if it is possible to pool results.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    When meta-analysis is possible, a descriptive summary of the contributing body of evidence is needed to fully interpret the collective evidence.

    “If a meta-analysis is possible, a descriptive summary of the body of evidence contributing to the meta-analysis is needed to interpret the collective evidence fully.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    When data are sufficient for meta-analysis, systematic review standards apply equally to rapid reviews, and meta-analysis depends on the type of data and information in individual studies.

    “If data are sufficient to consider a meta-analysis, the standards for a systematic review equally apply to a rapid review; meta-analysis will depend on the type of data and information provided in the individual studies.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The depth and details of analysis vary with the volume and type of included studies.

    “The depth and details of analysis will vary depending on the volume and type of included studies.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Describing restricted methods and potential sources of bias or uncertainty from methodological restrictions enables end users to better assess the validity and reliability of a rapid review.

    “Describing the restricted methods used and pinpointing potential sources of bias or uncertainty in the findings resulting from methodological restrictions, enables end users to better assess the validity and reliability of the rapid review.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Describing restricted methods helps determine whether the methods were appropriate for the research question, population, and context.

    “This includes determining whether the methods were appropriate for the specific research question, studied population, and context being investigated.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Describing restricted methods puts results in perspective and helps limit overgeneralisation or unwarranted conclusions.

    “Additionally, this process serves to put the results in perspective, given the restrictions imposed by the methods of rapid reviews, helping to limit overgeneralisation of results or unwarranted conclusions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Changes to the review protocol are sometimes necessary after a rapid review has started.

    “Sometimes, changes to the review protocol are necessary once a rapid review has started.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Online systematic review software enhances collaboration through real-time project management and multiuser participation across geographical boundaries.

    “Online systematic review software enhances collaboration by allowing real time project management and multiuser participation across geographical boundaries.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Systematic review software enables rapid review team members to work in parallel across all stages and provides a fully transparent process.

    “Importantly, the software enables members of the rapid review team to work in parallel across all stages of the review, and it provides a fully transparent process.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Systematic review software facilitates incorporating protocol amendments and other post hoc changes during a rapid review.

    “It also facilitates the incorporation of protocol amendments and other post hoc changes that may be needed during the conduct of a rapid review.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Software use increases efficiency through automated collation of screening results.

    “The use of software also increases efficiency through the automated collation of the screening results (inclusions and exclusions).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Close communication with information specialists and clinical experts helps set informed date limits.

    “Besides, close communication with information specialists and clinical experts will help to set informed date limits.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Information specialists can assist in selecting appropriate search methods and resources, defining search limits, designing and executing search strategies, and reporting the search methods.

    “Information specialists can assist in selecting appropriate search methods and resources, defining search limits, designing and executing search strategies, and reporting the search methods.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    For some topics, a search of grey literature may be more important than a search of conventional databases.

    “For some topics, however, a search of grey literature may be more important than a search of conventional databases.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The proportion of records for dual screening may differ depending on number of records, resources, complexity, and reviewers' experience.

    “The proportion may differ depending on the number of records to be screened, available resources, complexity of the review topic, and reviewers' experience.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A pilot exercise allows discussion of unclear abstracts and identification of potential difficulties in study selection.

    “This pilot exercise also allows a discussion of unclear abstracts and identification of potential difficulties in the study selection process.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Using a data extraction form helps identify misunderstandings early and reduce disagreements during data verification.

    “This should help to identify misunderstandings early on and should reduce disagreements during the data verification step (see recommendation 12).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many established steps in the systematic review process also rest on evidence that is limited, outdated or unavailable.

    “we know that many established steps in the systematic review process are also based on evidence that is limited, outdated, or not available.”
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Citations

Cites

Show all 56 references

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Cochrane. Access options for the Cochrane Library. 2023. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/help/access#:~:text=Cochrane%20and%20Wiley%20provide%20one,Library%20in%20over%20100%20countries
  2. Lefebvre C, Glanville J, Briscoe S, et al. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston MS, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (eds). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 6.3 (updated February 2022). Cochrane, 2022. https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/current/chapter-04-technical-supplement-searching-and-selecting-studies
  3. Dobbins M. Steps for conducting a rapid review. National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, McMaster University, 2017;25.

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Metadata

Authors
Garritty, C., Hamel, C., Trivella, M., Gartlehner, G., Nussbaumer-Streit, B., Devane, D., Kamel, C., Griebler, U., & King, V. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Ottawa (CA)
  • Universität für Weiterbildung Krems (AT)
  • Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway (IE)
  • Canada's Drug Agency (CA)
  • Oregon Health & Science University (US)
Corresponding author
Garritty, Chantelle
Venue
BMJ
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2024-02-06
Volume
384
Pages
e076335
ISSN
1756-1833 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4391563803
Cited by
260
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 120 · 2025: 111 · 2024: 29
FWCI
72.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMJ (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Clinical practice guidelines implementation
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Delphi Technique in Research
Keywords
rapid review, review methodology, evidence synthesis, knowledge users, patient and public involvement, healthcare decision-making
MeSH terms
Humans, Review Literature as Topic, Evidence-Based Medicine

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