EPOC Worksheets for preparing a Summary of Findings (SoF) table using GRADE These worksheets can be used to: 1. Identify the most important outcomes for each comparison for which a SoF table would be helpful 2. Assess the certainty (quality) of evidence for each of those outcomes using GRADE 3. Prepare a summary of findings (SoF) table for an EPOC review Instructions 1. Identify each comparison in the review for which a SoF table would be helpful. Prepare more than one SoF table if the review contains more than one comparison for which a summary of findings would be helpful. 2. Select the most important outcomes for each comparison Suggestions Generate a list of relevant outcomes (see Worksheet 1) List outcomes that you identified as primary outcomes Add other outcomes for which data are reported Add any other outcomes that were not reported in the review, but that might be important to someone making a decision from the perspective of those who will be affected by the decision. Be – sure to consider potential benefits, adverse effects, and resource use (costs) Agree (with your co-authors) on which outcomes are important enough to be included in the SoF table (Worksheet 1) Having chosen the outcomes that you think are most important and should be included in the SoF table, transfer them to a blank certainty assessment table (see Worksheet 2). Include outcomes that are critical to a decision even if the review does not provide any evidence 3. Assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome using the GRADE approach Suggestions Fill in Worksheet 2 to determine the certainty of the evidence for the outcome Consult the criteria for assessing the certainty of evidence (see below) 4. Summarise the findings for the outcome (quantitatively if possible), in a way that will be understandable to decision-makers and stakeholders. 5. Complete the SoF (Worksheet 3) filling in the Certainty of the Evidence column for each of the important outcomes. 6. Prepare bullet points that summarise the information in the summary of findings table in plain language. Be consistent in how you translate the findings into qualitative statements (Worksheet 4) and your use of language when you report the results in the abstract, results, discussion and conclusions of the review.
EPOC Worksheets for preparing a Summary of Findings (SoF) table using GRADE These worksheets can be used to: 1. Identify the most important outcomes for each comparison for which a SoF table would be helpful 2. Assess the certainty (quality) of evidence for each of those outcomes using GRADE 3. Prepare a summary of findings (SoF) table for an EPOC review Instructions 1. Identify each comparison in the review for which a SoF table would be helpful. Prepare more than one SoF table if the review contains more than one comparison for which a summary of findings would be helpful. 2. Select the most important outcomes for each comparison Suggestions Generate a list of relevant outcomes (see Worksheet 1) List outcomes that you identified as primary outcomes Add other outcomes for which data are reported Add any other outcomes that were not reported in the review, but that might be important to someone making a decision – from the perspective of those who will be affected by the decision. Be sure to consider potential benefits, adverse effects, and resource use (costs) Agree (with your co-authors) on which outcomes are important enough to be included in the SoF table (Worksheet 1) Having chosen the outcomes that you think are most important and should be included in the SoF table, transfer them to a blank certainty assessment table (see Worksheet 2). Include outcomes that are critical to a decision even if the review does not provide any evidence 3. Assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome using the GRADE approach Suggestions Fill in Worksheet 2 to determine the certainty of the evidence for the outcome Consult the criteria for assessing the certainty of evidence (see below) 4. Summarise the findings for the outcome (quantitatively if possible), in a way that will be understandable to decision-makers and stakeholders. 5. Complete the SoF (Worksheet 3) filling in the Certainty of the Evidence column for each of the important outcomes. 6. Prepare bullet points that summarise the information in the summary of findings table in plain language. Be consistent in how you translate the findings into qualitative statements (Worksheet 4) and your use of language when you report the results in the abstract, results, discussion and conclusions of the review.