This webinar will cover the relevant aspects of what constitutes a systematic review and meta-analysis. It will explore the process of conducting a robust systematic review, and thereafter the meta-analysis of the data obtained from the literature. This will allow healthcare students to gain an informed appreciation and understanding of these types of studies, to allow for an accurate interpretation of published work. This will help them when they are reading up on the best practices evidenced to date, to ensure a high standard of care is delivered to patients. To reinforce the aspects covered during this teaching, everyone will go through an example paper on critical care to apply their knowledge.

This session will be delivered by Professor Bronagh Blackwood and Professor Bronwen Connolly, who are both principal investigators in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast. Professor Blackwood’s research interests are on improving clinical trial conduct, whilst also undertaking critical care clinical trials. Her focus is on mechanical ventilation and weaning. Professor Connolly’s work investigates acute respiratory and rehabilitation physiotherapy in critical illness, alongside clinical trial methodology concerning complex interventions for rehabilitation. She is currently conducting a randomised controlled trial examining the efficacy of mucoactive agents in acute respiratory failure.