title: A process for the systematic review of community-based rehabilitation evaluation reports: formulating evidence for policy and practice.
abstract: A methodological framework for conducting a systematic, mostly qualitative, meta-synthesis of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) project evaluation reports is described. Developed in the course of an international pilot study, the framework proposes a systematic review process in phases which are strongly collaborative, methodologically rigorous and detailed. Through this suggested process, valuable descriptive data about CBR practice, strategies and outcomes may be synthesized. It is anticipated that future application of this methodology will contribute to an improved evidence base for CBR, which will facilitate the development of more appropriate policy and practice guidelines for disability service delivery in developing countries. The methodology will also have potential applications in areas beyond CBR, which are similarly "evidence poor" (lacking empirical research) but "data rich" (with plentiful descriptive and evaluative reports).
authors.affiliation: Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuipers
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartley
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000592:standards; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000592:standards; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic