title: Improving the uptake of systematic reviews: a systematic review of intervention effectiveness and relevance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about the barriers, facilitators and interventions that impact on systematic review uptake. The objective of this study was to identify how uptake of systematic reviews can be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were included if they addressed interventions enhancing the uptake of systematic reviews. Reports in any language were included. All decisionmakers were eligible. Studies could be randomised trials, cluster-randomised trials, controlled-clinical trials and before-and-after studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched 19 databases including PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library, covering the full range of publication years from inception to December 2010. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed quality according to the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  10 studies from 11 countries, containing 12 interventions met our criteria. Settings included a hospital, a government department and a medical school. Doctors, nurses, mid-wives, patients and programme managers were targeted. Six of the studies were geared to improving knowledge and attitudes while four targeted clinical practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three studies of low-to-moderate risk of bias, identified interventions that showed a statistically significant improvement: educational visits, short summaries of systematic reviews and targeted messaging. Promising interventions include e-learning, computer-based learning, inactive workshops, use of knowledge brokers and an e-registry of reviews. Juxtaposing barriers and facilitators alongside the identified interventions, it was clear that the three effective approaches addressed a wide range of barriers and facilitators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A limited number of studies were found for inclusion. However, the extensive literature search is one of the strengths of this review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Targeted messaging, educational visits and summaries are recommended to enhance systematic review uptake. Identified promising approaches need to be developed further. New strategies are required to encompass neglected barriers and facilitators. This review addressed effectiveness and also appropriateness of knowledge uptake strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Continuing Education, Wellington Square, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Roscommon County Hospital, Roscommon, Ireland.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.affiliation: Department of Continuing Education, Wellington Square, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
keywords: MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING