Abstract

Systematic literature review (SLR) is a scientific method to collect the available data in the literature regarding a specific research question, and to compare the quality of different studies, in order to arrive at the best possible answer. SLR is not the same as data-pooling. In contrast to what many clinicians think, SLR is clinical science and not “easy going”, it takes a lot of time and effort, you can make mistakes, and you need to practice and obtain experience. A proper SLR is all but “low hanging fruit”.

Nevertheless, SLRs from the evidence base of guidelines, and as such are integral parts of them.

This lecture will describe how SLRs should be translated into guidelines, and what pitfalls may prevent that the appropriate evidence will be enclosed in recommendations, or that too weak evidence gets a too prominent place.