Report on Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analysis Workshop
December 14, 2023
Pillar II: Exemplary Research and Innovation, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON) Manipal organized a workshop on ‘Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis’ from December 12th to 13th, 2023, at the Medical Education Department classroom, MAHE. Forty-eight participants attended the workshop, including faculty members and research scholars from different institutions in India. The workshop aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education.
The day's event began with the inauguration of the workshop by Prof. Dr. Filiz Ogce Aktas, International Faculty of Manipal College of Nursing, Professor and Dean, Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Health Science, President, Turkish Surgical and Operating Room Nurses. She has addressed the importance of conducting a literature search and systematic reviews to help build new knowledge and contribute to evidence-based practice. Mrs.Manjula, Assistant Professor, MCON, Manipal, Convener of the workshop, welcomed the participants and introduced the Chief Guest. Dr. Judith A. Noronha, Dean of Manipal College of Nursing, addressed the participants regarding the rigour and importance of conducting systematic reviews. The inaugural program concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Remya U, PhD Scholar, MCON, Manipal.
The first session of the day was on Introduction to Systematic Reviews and the development of a systematic review protocol, including PROSPERO registration. It was delivered by Mr. Anil Raj, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCON, Manipal. He has elaborated on the steps of developing a systematic review protocol and process for PROSPERO registration. Ms. Mitchelle Lewis, Lecturer, Dept. of Fundamentals of Nursing, MCON, MAHE, delivered the second session on Framing a systematic review question/PICOTS. She has focused on various elements of developing a review question by enumerating the PICOTS. The post-lunch session was held on formulating a search strategy and database search, which was a practical hands-on session using various online databases by Dr. Baby S. Nayak, Professor & Head, Department of Child Health Nursing, Head, Pilar II Exemplary Research & Innovation. She has explained various search strategies using different databases, developing a search grid, and methods of presentation in publications. The last session of the day was a hands-on session on data collection and de-duplication of studies using Rayyan software by Mrs.Prima J.J. Dsouza, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Fundamentals of Nursing. She has elaborated on various strategies employed in data deduplication using the software.
On December 13, the second day of the workshop started with a recap of the previous day's sessions by Dr Baby S. Nayak, Professor and Head, Department of Child Health Nursing, and Head, Pillar II Exemplary Research & Innovation. The first session for the day was on the selection of studies and data extraction, which was dealt by Dr. Anupama D. S., Research Fellow, Dept. of Global Health Governance, PSPH, MAHE. She has focused on the purpose, the process of screening the articles, and the selection of studies for the systematic reviews. The second session for the day was held by Dr. Judith A. Noronha, Professor and Dean, MCON, MAHE, Manipal, on assessing the risk of bias. She has explained the types and assessment of bias and various standard templates used for the assessment of bias based on the design of the studies, which was followed by a session on RevMan software by Mr Anil Raj. Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCON, MAHE. It was a hands-on session on the application of RevMan software for the RCTS. The post-lunch session was on PRISMA and reporting of the systematic review by Dr. Sonia R.B. Dsouza, Professor and HOD, Dept. of OBG Nursing. The last session of the day was on Introduction to Meta-analysis by Dr. Vasudeva Guddattu, Professor, Dept. of Data Sciences, PSPH, MAHE. He has explained the process of statistical analysis using JAMOVI software.
The participants of the workshop were asked to express their opinions about the two days of the workshop. The workshop received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Many participants noted that it was particularly beneficial for beginners, providing a clear and well-organized introduction to systematic review methodologies. They also appreciated the organiser’s hospitality and provision of quality refreshments, contributing to a positive and conducive learning environment with expert speakers, which was followed by a concluding remark by Dr. Baby S. Nayak. She congratulated and thanked the convenor, Mrs. Manjula, and the PhD scholars for their hard work and contribution to the success of the workshop.