Building capacity of indian scientists to conduct systematic reviews in child health: An ICMR initiative

This article reports on an Indian Council of Medical Research initiative

Abstract

Knowledge and training in evidence-based medicine is essential for informed clinical decision-making and treatment choices. Systematic reviews identify, appraise and synthesize research-based evidence and present it in accessible format.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR) has promoted evidence-based medicine in India by establishing an Advanced Center for evidence based medicine that hosted the South Asian Cochrane Network and Center at the Christian Medical College, Vellore; procuring a national subscription to The Cochrane Library making it accessible to all Indian scientists; and establishing a Center for Advanced research on evidence-based child health at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.

This article informs about a national level initiative by ICMR that aims to harness the translational potential of secondary research, by funding systematic reviews aligned to national health priorities selected through a national competitive process; and to provide training, mentoring, and quality assurance. A continuing scheme of funding high-quality systematic reviews on priority areas of Child Health may follow.

Citation

Sinha Anju, Dheeraj Shah and Prathap Tharyan. “Building capacity of Indian scientists to conduct systematic reviews in child health: an ICMR initiative.” Indian pediatrics 52 3 (2015): pp195-8.

Building capacity of indian scientists to conduct systematic reviews in child health: An ICMR initiative

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Published 3 April 2015