Qualitative Evidence Syntheses Within Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care: Developing a Template and Guidance Publisher



Glenton C^{1, 2} ; Lewin S^{1, 3} ; Downe S⁴ ; Paulsen E¹ ; Munabibabigumira S¹ ; Johansen M¹ ; Agarwal S⁵ ; Ames H^{6, 7} ; Cooper S⁸ ; Daniels K^{9, 10} ; Houghton C¹¹ ; Karimishahanjarini A^{12, 13} ; Moloi H³ ; Odendaal W^{3, 14} Show All Authors Show Affiliations
Source: International Journal of Qualitative Methods Published:2021

Abstract

A growing number of researchers are preparing systematic reviews of qualitative evidence, often referred to as ‘qualitative evidence syntheses’. Cochrane published its first qualitative evidence synthesis in 2013 and published 27 such syntheses and protocols by August 2020. Most of these syntheses have explored how people experience or value different health conditions, treatments and outcomes. Several have been used by guideline producers and others to identify the topics that matter to people, consider the acceptability and feasibility of different healthcare options and identify implementation considerations, thereby complementing systematic reviews of intervention effectiveness.Guidance on how to conduct and report qualitative evidence syntheses exists. However, methods are evolving, and we still have more to learn about how to translate and integrate existing methodological guidance into practice. Cochrane’s Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) (www.epoc.org) has been involved in many of Cochrane’s qualitative evidence syntheses through the provision of editorial guidance and support and through co-authorship. In this article, we describe the development of a template and guidance for EPOC’s qualitative evidence syntheses and reflect on this process. © The Author(s) 2021.