Creating a living systematic review (LSR) involves setting up an infrastructure that allows for continuous updates and integration of new evidence. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up the necessary infrastructure:
1. Define the Scope and Objectives
- Research Question: Clearly define the research question or objectives of your systematic review.
- Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: Establish criteria for including and excluding studies.
- Search Strategy: Develop a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant studies.
2. Assemble a Team
- Core Team: Include experts in systematic reviews, information specialists, and subject matter experts.
- Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define roles such as search coordinator, data extractor, and quality assessor.
3. Set Up a Document Management System
- Reference Management Software: Use tools like EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley to manage references.
- Data Extraction Tools: Utilize software like Covidence, Rayyan, or DistillerSR for data extraction and management.
- Version Control: Implement version control systems like GitHub for managing updates and changes.
4. Develop a Search and Monitoring Strategy
- Automated Alerts: Set up automated alerts in databases like PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library to receive updates on new publications.
- Regular Searches: Schedule regular manual searches to ensure no relevant studies are missed.
- Grey Literature: Include sources of grey literature such as conference proceedings, dissertations, and preprint servers.
5. Establish a Workflow for Continuous Updates
- Screening: Develop a protocol for screening new studies for relevance.
- Data Extraction: Create standardized forms for data extraction.
- Quality Assessment: Use tools like the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool or the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quality assessment.
- Data Synthesis: Plan for regular updates to the data synthesis, including meta-analysis if applicable.
6. Implement Automation Tools
- Automated Screening: Use machine learning tools like ASReview or RobotReviewer for automated screening.
- Automated Data Extraction: Utilize natural language processing (NLP) tools for automated data extraction.
- Automated Reporting: Implement tools for automated reporting and updating of the systematic review.
7. Ensure Transparency and Reproducibility
- Protocol Registration: Register your protocol with PROSPERO or a similar registry.
- Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of all processes, including search strategies, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and data extraction methods.
- Open Access: Consider making your data and methods openly accessible to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
8. Plan for Regular Updates and Publication
- Update Schedule: Establish a regular update schedule (e.g., quarterly, annually).
- Publication Plan: Plan for regular publication of updates in journals or repositories that support living systematic reviews.
- Communication: Develop a communication plan to disseminate updates to stakeholders, including clinicians, policymakers, and the public.
9. Monitor and Evaluate
- Performance Metrics: Track performance metrics such as the number of new studies included, time taken for updates, and user feedback.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and improve your processes based on feedback and performance metrics.
10. Engage Stakeholders
- Stakeholder Involvement: Engage stakeholders in the planning and execution phases to ensure the review meets their needs.
- Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback loop to gather input from stakeholders and incorporate it into the review process.
Tools and Resources
- Reference Management: EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley
- Data Extraction and Management: Covidence, Rayyan, DistillerSR
- Version Control: GitHub
- Automated Alerts: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library
- Automated Screening: ASReview, RobotReviewer
- Protocol Registration: PROSPERO
By following these steps, you can create a robust infrastructure for a living systematic review that ensures continuous updates and integration of new evidence.