Examples of systematic reviews
Systematic reviews are essential components of evidence-based practice, meticulously gathering and synthesizing research findings to offer high-quality, comprehensive insights into specific topics. These reviews are characterized by their structured methods. These literature reviews reveal patterns, highlight gaps, and provide robust conclusions that inform policy, practice, and future research directions.Healthcare
The review titled "Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of Lay Health Worker Programmes to Improve Access to Maternal and Child Health: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis" systematically examines qualitative studies to identify factors influencing the success and sustainability of lay health worker programs. Glenton et al., (2013) conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including MEDLINE and CINAHL, using explicit criteria to select studies that employed qualitative methods to explore stakeholders' experiences and attitudes towards lay health workers programs in primary or community healthcare settings. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the selected studies using a standardized tool. They then employed thematic synthesis to systematically extract and identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of lay health workers programs. The findings were integrated with outcome measures from a Cochrane review on lay health workers' effectiveness, using a logic model to propose how specific program components influence outcomes. The review utilized the CerQual approach to assess the certainty of the findings, ensuring robust conclusions about the factors affecting lay health workers' program implementation. The review highlights the importance of trust, respect, and support from health systems and community leaders, and identifies key motivators and challenges faced by lay health workers. The systematic approach provides valuable insights into optimizing lay health workers programs, emphasizing the need for relevant services, adequate training, and supportive supervision to enhance program success and sustainability.Mental Health
In the review "Correlates and consequences of internalized stigma for people living with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis," Livingston and Boyd review and analyze extensive research on the negative effects of internalized stigma on people with mental illness. The article examines studies on the relationships between internalized stigma and various factors like demographics, psychosocial aspects, and psychiatric symptoms. Out of 127 reviewed studies, data from 45 were used for meta-analyses. The study found that demographics were not strongly linked to internalized stigma, but it negatively impacted hope, self-esteem, and empowerment, and was associated with worse psychiatric symptoms and treatment adherence. It highlights the need for more long-term studies to better understand these relationships.