title: Meta-analysis: an adolescent in need of evidence and a watchful eye.
abstract: Meta-analysis is a relatively new development in medicine. It is conceptually appealing, summarizing the medical literature in a rigorous manner and providing clinicians with a global picture regarding the merits of interventions. This process can help clinicians choose appropriate, evidence-based management options for their patients. The early enthusiasm for this approach has more recently been called into question. The reliability, and therefore the usefulness, of meta-analysis will improve as more evidence concerning the rigorous ways to conduct and report such studies is developed.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moher
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pham
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011786:Quality Control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results