TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving GRADE evidence tables part 1: a randomized trial shows improved understanding of content in summary of findings tables with a new format
AU - Carrasco-Labra, Alonso
AU - Brignardello-Petersen, Romina
AU - Santesso, Nancy
AU - Neumann, Ignacio
AU - Mustafa, Reem A.
AU - Mbuagbaw, Lawrence
AU - Etxeandia Ikobaltzeta, Itziar
AU - De Stio, Catherine
AU - McCullagh, Lauren J.
AU - Alonso-Coello, Pablo
AU - Meerpohl, Joerg J.
AU - Vandvik, Per Olav
AU - Brozek, Jan L.
AU - Akl, Elie A.
AU - Bossuyt, Patrick
AU - Churchill, Rachel
AU - Glenton, Claire
AU - Rosenbaum, Sarah
AU - Tugwell, Peter
AU - Welch, Vivian
AU - Garner, Paul
AU - Guyatt, Gordon
AU - Schünemann, Holger J.
PY - 2016/1/11
Y1 - 2016/1/11
N2 - ObjectivesThe current format of summary of findings (SoFs) tables for presenting effect estimates and associated quality of evidence improve understanding and assist users finding key information in systematic reviews. Users of SoF tables have demanded alternative formats to express findings from systematic reviews.Study Design and SettingWe conducted a randomized controlled trial among systematic review users to compare the relative merits of a new format with the current formats of SoF tables regarding understanding, accessibility of information, satisfaction, and preference. Our primary goal was to show that the new format is not inferior to the current format.ResultsOf 390 potentially eligible subjects, 290 were randomized. Of seven items testing understanding, three showed similar results, two showed small differences favoring the new format, and two (understanding risk difference and quality of the evidence associated with a treatment effect) showed large differences favoring the new format [63% (95% confidence interval {CI}: 55, 71) and 62% (95% CI: 52, 71) more correct answers, respectively]. Respondents rated information in the alternative format as more accessible overall and preferred the new format over the current format.ConclusionsWhile providing at least similar levels of understanding for some items and increased understanding for others, users prefer the new format of SoF tables
AB - ObjectivesThe current format of summary of findings (SoFs) tables for presenting effect estimates and associated quality of evidence improve understanding and assist users finding key information in systematic reviews. Users of SoF tables have demanded alternative formats to express findings from systematic reviews.Study Design and SettingWe conducted a randomized controlled trial among systematic review users to compare the relative merits of a new format with the current formats of SoF tables regarding understanding, accessibility of information, satisfaction, and preference. Our primary goal was to show that the new format is not inferior to the current format.ResultsOf 390 potentially eligible subjects, 290 were randomized. Of seven items testing understanding, three showed similar results, two showed small differences favoring the new format, and two (understanding risk difference and quality of the evidence associated with a treatment effect) showed large differences favoring the new format [63% (95% confidence interval {CI}: 55, 71) and 62% (95% CI: 52, 71) more correct answers, respectively]. Respondents rated information in the alternative format as more accessible overall and preferred the new format over the current format.ConclusionsWhile providing at least similar levels of understanding for some items and increased understanding for others, users prefer the new format of SoF tables
KW - Evidence summaries
KW - Evidence tables
KW - Formatting
KW - GRADE
KW - GRADEpro
KW - Guidelines
KW - Summary of findings table
KW - Systematic reviews
KW - Understanding
U2 - 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2015.12.007
DO - 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2015.12.007
M3 - Article
SN - 0895-4356
VL - 74
SP - 7
EP - 18
JO - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
JF - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
ER -