VU Systematic Literature Reviews: Identifying key concepts

Identifying key concepts

The structure of the search strategy should be based on the main concepts being examined in a review (Cochrane handbook, Ch. 4.4.2).

The best approach to form the strategy is to employ a framework suitable to the research question. The framework is commonly used to logically structure the question and ensure that the essential concepts related to the research question are identified.

The PICO framework, which specifies the type of Patient or Population, type of Interventions (and Comparisons if there is any), and the type of Outcomes that are of interest, would be helpful when investigating the effectiveness of an intervention. Frameworks like PEO, SPIDER, SPICE, and ECLIPSE may be the best when investigating qualitative studies.

If the systematic review is on this topic: In the paediatric population, do distraction techniques during immunisation result in less pain and anxiety? your table with PICO criterion may look like this:

 

Concept 1 (P) Population/Problem/Patient Paediatric population during immunisation
Concept 2 (I/E) Intervention/Exposure Distraction techniques 
Concept 3 (C) Comparison No treatment
Concept 4 (O) Outcome Reduced pain and anxiety

 

In the paediatric population, do distraction techniques during immunisation result in less pain and anxiety?

Photo: James Gathany, Judy Schmidt, USCDCP