Challenges in systematic reviews of educational intervention studies

Ann Intern Med. 2005 Jun 21;142(12 Pt 2):1080-9. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-142-12_part_2-200506211-00008.

Abstract

Educators have recognized the need to apply evidence-based approaches to medical training. To do so, medical educators must have access to reliable evidence on the impact of educational interventions. This paper describes 5 methodologic challenges to performing systematic reviews of educational interventions for health care professionals: finding reports of medical education interventions, assessing quality of study designs, assessing the scope of interventions, assessing the evaluation of interventions, and synthesizing the results of educational interventions. We offer suggestions for addressing these challenges and make recommendations for reporting, reviewing, and appraising interventions in medical education.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Education, Medical / standards*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / methods*
  • Humans
  • Research Design / standards
  • Review Literature as Topic*