NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre

Systematic reviews
Technological assessment

Systematic reviews

Systematic reviews combine the results of all relevant, high-quality studies (preferably randomised trials), published or unpublished, addressing the same clinical question.

All reviews start with a protocol that defines the elements of the research question:
  • the patient population
  • the intervention being evaluated
  • the intervention it is to be compared with
  • the outcome measures
  • the methods to be used.
    • Cochrane Collaboration
    The Cochrane Collaboration is an international network of health professionals and consumers who aim to "help people make well informed decisions about health care by preparing, maintaining and ensuring the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of health care".

    The CTC undertakes systematic reviews of available research evidence:

  • active contributions to the work of the Cochrane Collaboration
  • reviews for the Medical Services Advisory Committee. The purpose of the reviews is to provide scientific evidence so that new and existing medical procedures attracting Medicare benefits are safe, clinically effective and cost-effective. More about assessments of new technology

    The CTC is also the international home of the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group and Prospective Meta-Analysis Methods Group.
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    Cochrane Library
    Completed reviews of the research evidence are available from the Cochrane Library. The Australian Commonwealth has provided funds to allow all Australians free access to the library.

    Link to library
    Cochrane Breast Cancer Group
    The Cochrane Breast Cancer Group aims to cover all aspects of the prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer of any stage.
    It also covers benign breast disease. It aims to assess treatments for preventing new breast cancer and treatments for recurrence of breast cancer and disease progression. The groups reviews also look at the effect of the treatments on the patient's quality of life and overall survival.
    The group builds on systematic reviews already undertaken by various breast cancer groups, including the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group

    © NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre 2002. Authorised by: Systematic Reviews and Health Care Assessment. Page updated: July 2007